Anti-drug Day being marked

DHAKA: The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being marked in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Tuesday with the theme of “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs.”

Different government and non-government organizations have chalked out a number of programmes to observe the day.

Narcotic Control Department and home ministry jointly staged a human chain in front of National Press Club at about 8am. Different government and non-government organizations took part in the human chain.

Later, the participants brought out a colorful procession led by home minister advocate Sahara Khatun and paraded the main thoroughfares of the city.

Meanwhile, the Narcotic Control Department organized a discussion marking the day in city’s Osmani Smriti Auditorium.

Besides, Dhaka Metropolitan Police brought out another rally in the city with the slogan of “Leave drugs, save yourself and the future generation”.

While addressing the rally, IGP Hasan Mahmud Khandaker said, “The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed today. But, we should continue the anti-drug campaign round the year in a bid to create awareness against the use and smuggling of drugs.”

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said, “Drugs destroy our lives. So, we must say no to drugs.”

In 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

It also observe the day commemorating Chinese hero Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, an event that was a catalyst for the First Opium War of Britain versus China.

BDST: 1500 HRS, JUN 26, 2012
Edited by: Maria Salam, Asst Output Editor