Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the government would rehabilitate the drug dealers on their surrenders.
“Many drug peddlers are surrendering due to [nationwide] massive awareness campaign… Financial assistance will be given to them for rehabilitation,” she told the Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 27).
The Leaders of the House also urged the people join the government’s campaign.
“Parents should be aware where their children are mingling with,” she said in response to a supplementary query from opposition MP Rustom Ali Farazi.
Emphasizing a social movement against drug abuse, Hasina reiterated her administration’s ‘zero tolerance policy’ against narcotics. “The ongoing crackdown against drugs by law enforcers will continue.”
Referring to Narcotics Control Act, 2018, she said that it has provisions of highest punishment for being involved in trading and smuggling of drugs.
On a query from the treasury bench by Mahfuzur Rahman from Chattogram-3, the prime minister said, “Various programmes have been taken under a pragmatic plan to free the society from (illegal) drugs.”
Over 150,000 people have been prosecuted for drug offences in 2018, Hasina said.
Revealing future plans to fight the menace, Hasina, said, “Necessary measures have already been completed to set up anti-drug special zone at Teknaf. Four testing laboratories for Narcotics Control Department would also be set up at four divisional cities.”
An international standard training academy for Narcotics Control Department will also be set up to create specialized manpower for the organization, she added.