Tougher law against drugs to save youth society

Asad Al-Mahmud: Yaba tablets are entering Bangladesh through border almost every day. Later, the terrible intoxication tablets are spreading out across the country and affecting young people.

The government is taking initiatives to formulate a tougher anti-drug law to save young people from the bite of Yaba marking it under category ‘A’.

The draft law titled Narcotics Control Bill, 2018 has already been finalised keeping a provision of death penalty as the maximum punishment for the patrons of drug traders, drug syndicates and the godfathers.

The new law has been formulated making 75 percent of amendment of the Narcotics Control Act, 1990 which includes provisions of separate punishment. The law will be approved by the cabinet soon, according to sources of Home Ministry.

The law contains seven new sections and 28 definitions. Some sections were brought under the mobile to court to ensure immediate punishment.

Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) Director General Jamal Uddin Ahmed said the traditional drug resistance law cannot punish any person if he/she is found with drugs directly. As a result, it is not possible to bring the kingpins or godfathers under the punishment. So, the law is being changed.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also confirmed the news.

He said, “The government is formulating an anti-narcotics law keeping a provision of death penalty for the patrons of drug traders, drug syndicates and the godfathers. Yaba is a top narcotic which is kept under category ‘A’ in the new law.”

“The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared a “zero tolerance” policy against drugs. The narcotics control department, police, BGB, Rab and other law enforcement agencies are working relentlessly in this regard,” he added.
 

risingbd/Dhaka/June 23, 2018/Asad/A K Azad