ZCZC
BSS-22
DRUGS-CONTROL-MEETING (with picture)
1 lakh people start fighting against drug abuse in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, July 14, 2020 (BSS)- More than one lakh people both male and female have come forward and are working together to fight against drug abuse to protect the young generation from its devastating effects in Rajshahi and Natore districts.
To this end, various motivational and awareness programmes are being conducted for their capacity building besides boosting their level of confidence with intervention of a project titled “Drug Abuse Resistance and Understanding- DARAU” within the next two-years despite the present novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Four development organizations — Light House, Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), Ashakta Punarbashan Sangstha (APOSH) and Nari O Shishu Kalyan Society (NSKS) — are implementing the project aimed at combating drug abuse.
Counterpart International is extending technical support while USAID and UKAID financial support to implement the project being implemented in eight wards of Rajshahi City Corporation and all nine upazilas in Rajshahi district and all six upazilas and four municipalities in Natore district.
These were revealed in a roundtable meeting with media personnel through a zoom link held today under the Promoting Advocacy and Rights (PAR) Project with participation of around 35 persons consisting journalists, officials of the line departments and development activists from various stakes concerned.
With DAM Director (Health) Iqbal Masud in the chair, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Additional Director of Department of Narcotics Control Zafrullah Kazal, APOSH Executive Director Abul Bashar, DARAO Project Coordinator Monwar Hossain, NSKS Executive Director Raoshan Ara and Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat.
Chief Executive of Light House Harun-Or-Rashid moderated the discussion. USAID Representative Sumona Masud, Deputy Chief of Party of Counterpart International Shahid Hossain and Senior Programme Specialist Syed Sultan Chand also spoke on the occasion.
In his remarks, Zafrullah Kazal said the present government is zero tolerance against drug-addiction and urged all quarters to come forward to protect the young generation from the grip of social crime.
“We have to build a healthy society to achieve sustainable development goals,” he said, adding the movement against drug abuse should be turned into a social movement.
Harun-Or-Rashid told the meeting that cross-sections of people including women, parents, school and out-of-school children, adolescents, youth, transgender, public representatives and members of the civil society are being engaged in the anti-drug abuse campaign.
He said the project is intended to benefit around four lakh people either directly or indirectly.
BSS/AH/FI/ 1530 hrs