Athena Limited, Mental and Drug Addiction Treatment and Mental Health Counseling Center initiative, held a round table meeting on “Drug Addiction, Crime or Mental Illness” on July 10 at Eng Sirdap Auditorium.
In this meeting, instead of seeing drug addiction as a crime or a moral crisis, giving importance to it as a mental disease, the treatment of this disease and the various aspects of drug eradication were addressed by the speakers.
The chief guest of the event highlighted the importance of playgrounds in drug control, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. Tajul Islam
Tajul Islam also said, ‘No drugs are produced in Bangladesh. Drugs enter Bangladesh from neighboring countries. So why can’t we close the entrance of drugs? Drug entry routes should be identified. At the same time, drugs should be eradicated by identifying those involved in drug trade or drug supply and taking legal measures.
In his speech, he also highlighted the importance of easily conveying information about the physical and mental effects of drugs to the people as part of the widespread social movement against drugs.
This round table meeting was organized to create social awareness on Athena Limited’s 5th anniversary. Member of Parliament Zara Jabeen Mahbub was present as a special guest on the occasion. Mental Health Counselor Nusrat Sabrin Chowdhury presented the main article in the seminar.
Director General of Narcotics Control Directorate, senior officers of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, renowned psychiatrists and psychologists, social workers, lawyers, important leaders of BPGMEA, journalists, young entrepreneurs and media personalities were present as panelists in the event.
Each speaker highlighted the harmful aspects of drugs as well as emphasizing the treatment of drug addicts rather than seeing them as criminals.
In addition to the discussion, Professor Dr. Athena to play a strong role in the anti-drug movement. Arup Ratan Chowdhury Professor Dr. Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives handed over the memorial to Mohit Kamal. Tajul Islam and managing director of Athena Dr. Iftekhar e Alam Siddiqui Shobhan.
President of Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists Brigadier General (retd.) Professor Dr. Md. Azizul Islam presided over the seminar.
