'LET'S TALK'

NSU brings young people into dialogue on drug abuse

Dignitaries, guests and organisers of the panel discussion "Let's Talk: Youth Against Drug" held at North South University recently
Dignitaries, guests and organisers of the panel discussion "Let's Talk: Youth Against Drug" held at North South University recently

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North South University (NSU) hosted a panel discussion recently titled, "Let's Talk: Youth Against Drug" to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025. The event, held at the university campus, was jointly organised by the Proctor's Office and the Counseling & Wellbeing Center, with support from the NSU Social Service Club.

The programme opened with the screening of an awareness video produced by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). The video, developed as part of the DNC's public education campaign, depicted the social and psychological consequences of drug abuse in Bangladesh.

Md Masud Hossain, director of Treatment and Rehabilitation at the DNC, was present as the special guest. He provided an overview of the national policy framework and shared key components of the department's current action plan. "If we work together to ensure supply disruption, demand control, and harm reduction," he said, "then we can achieve the DNC's vision of a drug addiction free Bangladesh."

The session was chaired by NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, who underscored the importance of educational institutions taking a proactive role. "Drug abuse not only puts a family in trouble, but also a society and even the nation," he said. "The investment for our future is young individuals, and we cannot jeopardise the nation's future by allowing them to fall victims to drug abuse."

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Shahanur Hossain, associate professor and chairman of the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Dhaka. He provided a data-driven overview of addiction trends globally and within Bangladesh, sharing the evolving nature of drug dependency. "Drug addiction can lead people to feel frustrated," he said, "but with the correct steps and community support, we can ensure the recovery of those with drug addiction problems."

The panel included a diverse group of speakers with backgrounds in mental health, public education, and student welfare. Dr Md Rahanul Islam, resident psychiatrist at the Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre, spoke about the clinical stages of dependency and the treatment challenges faced by rehabilitation centres.

Author and educator Sadman Sadik of 10 Minute School talked about the communication gap between young people and authority figures. He urged the audience to prioritise openness and peer-based interventions. "If we don't talk about it," he said, "we allow silence to do more harm than any substance."

Md Shaphawat Hossain, student counsellor at NSU, shared his experience working with students who struggle with anxiety, academic pressure, and behavioural challenges that often precede substance misuse. "Drug use is rarely isolated," he noted. "It is often symptomatic of something deeper, and recognising that is the first step toward support."

Professor Abdul Khaleque, proctor of NSU, closed the session by reaffirming the university's zero-tolerance stance. "NSU's code of conduct treats movement against drug abuse as a serious issue," he said. "Our priority is to ensure that the campus remains a safe and pleasant learning environment for all."

The event served both as a public awareness campaign and as a platform for honest dialogue among students, educators, and professionals. With the theme centred on youth engagement, the programme focused less on punitive measures and more on mental health support, education, and prevention through informed conversations.

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