Dhaka Ahsania Mission has received two awards in recognition of its outstanding contributions to drug prevention and awareness activities. The awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Salahuddin Ahmed, at a ceremony held on Friday (26 June) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium, marking the observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a press release said.

The awards were received by Mr Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and General Secretary of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter, and Mr Mizanur Rahman, Manager of the Ahsania Mission Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Jashore.

The Department of Narcotics Control nominated Dhaka Ahsania Mission for these awards in recognition of the Jashore Centre’s significant contribution to evidence-based drug prevention initiatives and the organisation’s vibrant participation in the national anti-drug rally. To mark the occasion, more than 300 young people participated in the rally with banners and festoons under the initiative of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and the Bangladesh Chapter of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP).

The event was attended by Mr Monjur Morshed Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, as Special Guest. The programme was chaired by Mr Md Hasan Maruf, Director General of the Department of Narcotics Control.

It may be noted that Dhaka Ahsania Mission has been implementing drug prevention, evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programmes in Bangladesh since 1990. At present, the organisation operates three drug treatment and rehabilitation centres for men in Gazipur, Munshiganj and Jashore, and one centre for women in Dhaka.