Rights activists stress building awareness of illegal drug use

The rights activists in the Rajshahi city on Saturday stressed the need for building social awareness of drug abuse and check use of illegal drugs.

The also emphasised the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

They demanded government allocation for the organisations that were working on the issue.

They were addressing

a briefing organised by

the Bangladesh Rehabilita-tion and Assistance Centre for Addicts, the Addicts Rehabilitation Centre

and the Want to Alive Society at a restaurant in the city.

Speakers said people form all walks of life suffer from drug abuse.

They demanded the government should rehabilitate the 50-60 lakh drug users of the country.

They disclosed that, at present, about 2,500 drug addicts were taking service in the countries 200 rehabilitation centres.

The speakers also expressed their grave concern over the increasing number of Injecting Drug Users that is a major risk factor of HIV/AIDS infection.

Want to Alive Society coordinator Shamsul Kawnain Shanta read out a written speech at the briefing while Bangladesh Rehabilitation and Assistance Centre for Addicts educator Zakiul Alam Milton, Addicts Rehabilitation Centre executive director Abul Bashar Paltu, among others, addressed the briefing.

Social welfare activists and newsmen were present at the briefing.

Source : New Age