Addressing the Drug Problem Requires Structural Change

Papel Kumar Shaha: June 26, 2024, is ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’. Since 1989, June 26 has been celebrated with importance in all countries belonging to the United Nations. The theme of this year’s day is ‘The evidence is clear: invest in prevention’. In order to raise awareness against drugs all over the world and to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve a world free of drug abuse, Bangladesh also celebrates the day through various programs every year. The theme of this year’s day focuses on drug policy, science, research, human rights, compassion, and the social, economic, and health impacts of drug use. Basically, drug addiction is one of the obstacles in the current social system. Drug use is increasing at an alarming rate throughout the world, including Bangladesh. Drugs are the most profitable business in the dark world after arms. In the context of Bangladesh, there is no place where drugs are not bought and sold. Drugs are now readily available in both rural and urban areas, and this is a multifaceted challenge. For example, if you open the news page, you can see the horrors of drugs. In this context, ‘FIREFLY CAMPAIGN’is going to be launched on the theme of ‘Be firefly in the dark’ drugs on July 1 through the initiative of the ‘Papel Story’ platform. The aim of this campaign is to create awareness about drugs. Basically, ‘Papel Story’ is a cultural platform where beauty is called for the purpose of awareness through the practice of diversity and values of culture as a whole, to influence the social environment, and to spread the speed of social development through awareness of social responsibility. Finally, dealing with the problem is really challenging. We have structural weaknesses to solve this problem in making Bangladesh smart! The effects of drugs are far-reaching and complex. Central to addressing this challenge is a scientific, evidence-based approach to prevention.

———————

Papel Kumar Shaha
CEO, Papel Story &
Convenor, FireflyCampaign
[email protected]