Social unity a must to save young generation from drugs: Mir Helal

State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin has called for a united social resistance, irrespective of political affiliation or differences of opinion, to protect the young generation from drug abuse.

“Our main goal is not merely to control drugs; our ultimate objective is to completely eradicate them from society,” he said.

The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at an anti-drug awareness rally organised by the district police at the Small Ethnic Cultural Institute in Bandarban on Thursday, according to a PID handout issued on Friday.

Describing drugs as a “silent killer”, Helal said they destroy promising lives, ruin families and push the future of the nation into darkness.

“In this struggle against drugs, every family in the country must become a bastion of awareness. Starting with parents and guardians, people from all walks of life must speak out against drugs from their respective positions,” he said.

The state minister called for creating a healthy environment for young people by providing them with books, sports equipment and opportunities to engage in cultural activities instead of drugs.

He said their participation in sports, healthy entertainment and educational activities should be ensured so that they do not go astray.

While strict legal action is being taken against drug dealers to stop the supply, an effective social movement must also be built in every neighbourhood to bring demand for drugs to zero, Helal said.

The rally was chaired by Bandarban Superintendent of Police Md Ohabul Islam Khandaker.The Deputy Inspector General of police (Chattogram Range), Chairman of Bandarban Hill District Council, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner, senior officials of the administration, local public representatives, civil society members, teachers and journalists attended the programme.