The Bangladesh chapter of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) was officially launched today (5 March) to strengthen drug prevention, treatment and recovery initiatives in the country.
The launching ceremony was held this afternoon at Dhaka Ahsania Mission in the capital’s Shyamoli area, bringing together experts, policymakers and development partners working in the field, reads a press release.
ISSUP is a global professional network that promotes evidence-based approaches to drug prevention, treatment and recovery. Bangladesh’s engagement with the platform began in 2015 through initial collaboration and participation in international conferences and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
In his welcome remarks, Director of Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Iqbal Masud, who also serves as member secretary of the ISSUP Bangladesh chapter, said that drug use has become a major public health and social concern affecting individuals, families and communities.
He said the new chapter would serve as a national platform to promote evidence-based practices, strengthen professional capacity and enhance coordination among stakeholders working on drug prevention, treatment and recovery.
During the event, the official committee of the ISSUP Bangladesh chapter was announced, and the chapter’s logo was unveiled. Speakers expressed hope that the initiative would help improve professional standards and strengthen coordinated responses to drug-related challenges in Bangladesh.
The event was chaired by Eminent Psychiatrist Professor MA Mohit Kamal. Among the attendees were Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control Md Bahauddin; President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission Professor Golam Rahman; National Programme Coordinator (HIV/AIDS), Bangladesh of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Abu Taher; Special Reporter at United News of Bangladesh Jahangir Alam; Coordinator of Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being Marzana Muntaha; and National Chapters Coordinator of ISSUP Olha Myshakivska, who joined the event online.
Representatives from UNODC, the Department of Narcotics Control, researchers and development partners were also present in the event.
About The Author
