Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Friday said if anyone is found positive in dope test, he will not get a government job. Not only the fresh candidates, but also those who have recently joined the government jobs will be brought under dope tests. Those who are working in the security forces will have to undergo dope tests. We are taking action against those who are found positive in dope tests.
He made the remarks while addressing a discussion organised by Manas, an anti-drug organisation, at Sagar-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Friday afternoon.
The Home Minister said, “We are working to prevent the spread of drugs and enable the youth to live with their heads high.”
“The Department of Narcotics Control is working so that we can harness the talents of the new generation, as well as our security forces, by cooperating with them.”
The Home Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had declared zero tolerance in eradicating terrorism and militancy. “She has also asked me to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against drug abuses. We are working keeping her instructions in mind. We will free the country from drugs at any cost,” he said.
According to the Home Minister, Bangladesh’s goals of 2030 and 2041 will never be achieved unless drug can be controlled. “So, we have restructured the Department of Narcotics Control.”
National Drug Control advisory committee member Professor Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury said though Bangladesh is not a drug producing country, its young generation are becoming addicted to drugs due to the illegal entry of the drugs into the country. Of the drug addicts, almost 80 per cent are teens and juveniles.
Besides, Manas’ organising secretary Matiur Rahman Talukder and treasurer Hosne Ara Rina were present at the discussion.
