An awareness meeting was held in Bogura on Monday to protect the younger generation from growing menace of drug abuse, with speakers calling for a coordinated social movement to build a drug-free society. The initiative taken by PROSHIKA Manobik Unnayan Kendra to raise public awareness received appreciation at Meeting. Speakers stressed the need for collective action involving responsible citizens to prevent drug abuse, curb criminal tendencies and address community-level challenges. Consultation meeting was organised by PROSHIKA Manobik Unnayan Kendra, Bogura Zone, auditorium of Nishindara Fakir Uddin School and College in Bogura metropolis. Discussions focused on anti-drug campaign, crime prevention and local problems and prospects. Rezaul Karim Badsha MP, MP, president of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Housing and Public Works, attended the meeting as chief guest.
In his speech, Badsha MP said drug abuse was contributing to family discord, rising criminal tendencies, declining educational standards and moral degradation among young people. He said BNP government had declared a zero-tolerance policy against drugs after assuming office. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had also issued directives for strict measures to combat drug abuse, he added. Government was undertaking comprehensive plans and initiatives to protect young people from harmful effects of drugs, Badsha said, emphasising that a sustained social movement was essential to establish a drug-free society.
Nishindara Fakir Uddin School and College principal Abdul Gafur Fakir, chaired the meeting. Among special guests were District Council administrator AKM Ahsanul Tayeb Zakir, Additional deputy commissioner (Education and ICT) Salma Akter, Additional superintendent of police (Media) Md. Atowar Rahman, Department of Narcotics Control deputy director Zillur Rahman, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital medical officer Dr A S Din Muhammad, PROSHIKA director Rizwanus Shamim Rajib, Anti-Drug Campaign Programme head Pradip Kumar Biswas, central manager Harun-or-Rashid, senior assistant director  Abdur Rahim Molla. meeting was moderated by Nur Hoda, divisional manager of PROSHIKA’s Bogura Zone.
Also present were development area Gabtali Fahima Parvin, Shibganj Zariful Islam, Nandigram Monirul Islam, Dhunat Iqbal Hossain, Bogura Sadar Raihan Ali Khandaker, cashier Sanatan Kumar Das; Rafiqul Islam; and credit officers Shamima Akter and Shilpi Begum.