The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The two World Wars did not claim so many lives, as did drug addiction, the Adviser for Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and Culture, Women and Children Affairs Rasheda K Chowdhury said.

She was speaking as Chief Guest a discussion meeting on "Misuse of Drugs and Addiction to It" at Viqarunnessa Noon School and College auditorium yesterday in the city.

'If you can help one addicted to come out from the curse that will be a great feat for you," she told the students at the discussion arranged by MANAS.

She urged film producer to make films to make the grassroots level people aware of the curse of drug addiction.

More than 70,000 women in the country are addicted to drugs Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury, President of the Association for the Preventation of Drug Abuse (MANAS) said.

"About 100 people die from smoking related diseases worldwide every 6.5 seconds" Dr Chowdhury informed.

Presided over by the Principal of the institution, the meeting was also addressed by Shaila Ahmed, a teacher of the college and a students' representative.

Aziz Hasan, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka attended the function, among others.

Addressing the gathering Dr Chowdhury said, " Indirect smoking is one of the most significant causes of breast cancer."

"Every day about 450 people die due to cigarette smoking, whereas 300 people die of HIV," Dr Chowdhury pointed out and said about 98 per cent of the smokers are likely to become addicted to drugs.

He said lack of proper education, awareness and recreational facilities, unemployment problem, broken home, poverty and human trafficking were responsible for drug addiction.

If treatment could be continued to the addicted, he or she may recover from the curse, the MANAS chief assured.

Shaila Ahmed lamented the lack of progress in curbing drug addiction despite hundred of programmes organised by different international institutions throughout the world on the issue.