The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The government has decided on the formation of anti-drug committees in all educational institutions including schools and colleges to prevent drugs from spreading among youths.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Narcotics Control Broad held at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday with Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein in the chair.The meeting was informed that about 36,000 cases, relating to narcotics, are pending for trial while the number of the accused, involved in these cases, is 45,000.

Adviser for Finance Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, Adviser for Health and Family Welfare Dr ASM Motiur Rahman, Adviser for LGRD Anwarul Iqbal, Adviser for Industries Geetiara Safiya Chowdhury, among others, attended the two-hour long meeting.

Briefing journalists after the meeting Home Secretary Md Abdul Karim said that the meeting reviewed the narcotics related cases and directed the narcotics department to resolve the cases as soon as possible. The previous meeting of the Board was held on June 1, 2005, he said.

He said the meeting decided to form an inter-ministerial committee headed by the Additional Home Secretary to find out the ways to review and resolve the drug cases.

The meeting directed the narcotics department to intensify its anti-drug drive across the country despite having constraint in manpower.

He said the meeting also asked the department to take necessary measure to examine drug in the laboratories of the narcotics department accurately, he said.

The Home Secretary said the meeting decided to issue armed licenses to the drug officials and continue bar licenses in five stars hotels in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the department of narcotics.

He said the meeting emphasised the need for increasing advocacy programme involving people from civil society and NGOs to create awareness among the people about the bad effect of taking drug.

Abdul Karim said the meeting asked the ministry of health and family welfare to implement the anti-smoking law.

The meeting discussed the duties and responsibilities of the narcotics department and opined that it would prepare a policy on drug control and take necessary decisions.

Replying to a question, he said the narcotics department has been asked to determine the number of addicted persons and ensure accountability in its activities.

Board members-Zafrullah Chowdhury, Abdullah Abu Sayed, Dr Arup Ratan, Shawkat Mahmud, Prof MR Khan and government high officials were present at the meeting.