President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon young people and social and voluntary organisations to raise awareness against drug abuse and build a strong social movement to combat it.

He made the call during a meeting with a 38-member delegation of Ahban, a social and cultural organisation comprising talented young students and professionals from Thakurgaon district, at Bangabhaban.

The delegation was led by Ahban Convener Lukman Sharif and Member Secretary Dr Tahmid Ahmed.

The President said the country’s progress will be hampered if the younger generation cannot be protected from the devastating impact of drugs.

Referring to how drug abuse is destroying the promising lives of many young people while also harming families and society, he said it is essential to build an effective social movement involving people from all walks of life to eliminate drug abuse.

Mirza Fakhrul said people must be mobilised to develop a community, while education, culture, science, knowledge and human values must be promoted.

He noted that social and voluntary organisations across the country can play an important role in bringing about positive social change and promoting people’s welfare.

At the meeting, the President praised various social, cultural and voluntary initiatives undertaken by Ahban, including the Thakurgaon School-based Science Fest, football tournaments involving persons with disabilities, medical camps, winter clothing distribution, and Gen-Z Carnival, among others.

Calling upon young people to play a more active role in the overall development of Thakurgaon district, he said the youth and professionals can make significant contributions to the development of the district’s economy and agriculture, the welfare of poor and marginalised communities, support for talented and financially disadvantaged students, addressing social problems, including drug abuse, and facilitating people’s access to government services.

Mirza Fakhrul also urged the younger generation to continue practising democratic values and healthy cultural activities in their personal, social and organisational lives.

During the meeting, members of Ahban described the President as a source of inspiration for the younger generation and expressed their thanks and gratitude for his role in the development and welfare of Thakurgaon district.

They pledged to work from their respective positions to build a beautiful, humane, enlightened and prosperous Bangladesh. The delegation members also sought the President’s guidance and cooperation in carrying out the organisation’s activities.

Mirza Fakhrul assured them of his all-out cooperation and wished all members continued well-being.

The President’s secretaries and senior officials were also present during the meeting.