Substance Use Prevention Important to Achieve SDG Goals

World Leaders have been committed to fulfilling the 169 targets in achieving the 17 goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, among these Substance Use Prevention and Treatment is one of the most important targets. Substance Use Prevention activities have been included in the 7th five-year plan, prepared in light of the SDGs. This was mentioned in the UN SDG Goal-3 Seminar held at the Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM) auditorium on June 30, 2018. DAM organized the seminar.

The speakers also said that the poor implementation of the existing law will keep Bangladesh far behind in achieving SDG's goals. Without the implementation of effective drug control activity, the third goal of the SDG “Good Health and Wellbeing” cannot be achieved. Also substance use is a major obstacle in achieving the other goals of SDG (17).

While speaking as the special guest, President of MANAS, Professor Dr. Arup Ratan Chowdhury said that Bangladesh is one of the most important routes on drug dealing in the world. About 60 percent of all drug addicts are involved in various crimes in our country.

He also said that 70 percent families do not know that drug addiction is a brain disease, that is, it is a disease like cancer and other diseases. Therefore, long-term treatment is needed for drug addicts.

In the speech of the Chief Guest, Director (Treatment and Rehabilitation), Department of Narcotics Control, Ministry of Home Affairs Md. Mofidul Islam said that Substance Use is one of the main social problems. At one time the drug was patently patronized by the government, but in the eighties, government initiated to treat drug addiction. The government is working in three main areas of reducing the supply, demand and harm for drug control.

He also said that so far the department has given license to 234 private drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers.

Among others, UNODC Bangladesh Program Coordinator ABM Kamrul Ahsan and Civil Surgeon Dr. Ehsanul Karim spoke as special guests. The keynote paper was presented by Iqbal Masud, Head of Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. The seminar was presided over by the General Secretary of DAM Dr. Khalilur Rahman. Two posters of DAM Female Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center on drug addiction were unveiled in the seminar. Golam Faruk Hamim, Director Program (Acting), delivered the welcome address and moderated the program.