Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhte-File photo

DHAKA, Mar 2, 2025 (BSS) – Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has called for stricter tobacco control measures to curb drug abuse, warning that a vast syndicate is actively drawing young people toward addiction.
 
“Young boys and girls are addicted to drugs. We must understand that a vast syndicate is working to attract youth to drugs. Therefore, we must fight against the syndicates. The struggle to control tobacco is still ongoing,” she said.
 
The adviser was addressing a discussion and award ceremony, organized by Women's Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Center of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at its head office’s auditorium, marking the International Women’s Day.

Farida said corporations are intentionally and consciously targeting young people, making them more vulnerable to drug addiction. “Companies are consciously attracting our youth every day. There are significant social barriers to treating and rehabilitating drug-addicted youth, especially girls.”
 
Highlighting the challenges faced by women in rehabilitation, she said, “Even when women recover from addiction through treatment, society does not always accept them the way it should be. We must ensure that no young person has to go through the cycle of addiction and rehabilitation again.”
 
The adviser urged a compassionate approach to drug addiction, saying, “Addicts are not criminals; they are victims of circumstances. We must ensure that they are not treated like criminals.”
 
Commenting on nutrition, Farida stressed the importance of women's nutritional rights. “Women still lag behind in nutrition, so when we talk about women's rights, we must also talk about their right to proper nutrition.”

Chaired by Dhaka Ahsania Mission president Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, the discussion was also addressed by public health expert Dr. Yasmin H. Ahmed, EnergyPac Engineering Ltd. founding director Mahfuza Rahman Chowdhury Babli, Dr. Robaet Ferdous, Dr. Rahena Begum, Dr. Naila Parveen and Director of the Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Iqbal Masud.