Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque has informed that process is going on to perform dope test for the students before their admission in the universities and colleges across the country. He said this after participating the ministerial meeting on law and order situation at the meeting room of home ministry at secretariat in the capital on Wednesday. The minister said, dope test will be made mandatory before any type of government appointment. Besides, dope test method will be started before admission of students at the universities and colleges. To make the country free from drugs directions have been given to emphasize about three matters. Action will be taken to curb and identify the drug takers, drug peddlers and their patrons. Mozammel Haque said, by this time dope test system has been started among the law enforcement agency members. Actions were taken against the drug addicts. Still dope tests are being performed for the suspected persons. AH

Dope tests are being conducted for the members of Bangladesh police force to make it free of drugs and bring transparency. Drug addiction has been traced among 68 police members under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Ten of them have been dismissed by this time. Walid Hossain, DC of DMP media center confirmed the information on Sunday. Police said, after taking charge in September last year the incumbent DMP Commissioner announced to perform dope test for the police members. In this connection 68 found guilty of taking drugs. Of them 7 SIs, one sergeant, 5 ASIs, 5 nayeks and 50 constables. Of the 68 people divisional cases were filed against 43, divisional actions are on process for 25 and 18 were temporarily suspended. After completion of the cases 10 from the said 18 were dismissed. Not only taking drugs even complains of selling drugs, trapping people with drugs and not doing deposition of recovered drugs have been found against these police members. It is known that 10 were accused in drugs selling, 10 were accused for trapping people. Of them divisional actions were taken against 5. Besides, for the allegation of not showing accurate recovered drugs by taking money 4 were accused. DC Walid Hossain said, it is a continuous process of cleansing drive. Police are firm in zero tolerance policy against drugs. There is no scope to spare anybody. Order has come from the high ups that there is no scope to continue job in police being drug addict or any type of involvement in drugs. AH           

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the authorities concerned to bring drivers under a dope testing system to know whether they use drugs. “We need to know whether those who’re driving [vehicles] use drugs. They need to undergo dope tests.  This test of every driver is absolutely essential.  You’ve to do that,” she said while addressing a discussion through a videoconference from her official residence Ganobhaban. The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry arranged the virtual event at the auditorium of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on the occasion of the National Road Safety Day 2020. The Prime Minister asked people not to take laws in their own hands and discard their mentality to assault drivers and attack vehicles in the case of any accident for saving victims as it invites further accidents in many cases. She suggested that pedestrians should use zebra crossings. “Everyone must follow traffic rules as those are effective for everyone.” Sheikh Hasina asked drivers to shun the mentality to overtake another vehicle on roads and highways as it causes accidents in many cases. Pointing at pedestrians, the Prime Minister said there is a serious lack of awareness over traffic rules.  Some pedestrians cross roads just raising their hands before running vehicles, not considering that it takes time to stop a vehicle even if the driver uses the brake. People will have to be aware about it,” she said. "It’s not just the drivers who should be blamed. Our pedestrians also need to be aware. There’s a great lack of awareness,” Hasina said. Citing more examples for violation of traffic rules, she said the most unfortunate matter is that mothers carrying babies cross roads without using footbridges. “If anyone falls under a vehicle why should I blame the driver?” A father taking his bay in arms was seen crossing a street climbing up a road divider. If the foot slips a little bit and the child will simply die in an accident. Then who is to be blamed? she questioned. About the tendency to assault the driver in the case of an accident, she said a pedestrian suddenly goes to cross the road from the sidewalk not watching the vehicles coming from the back and then a vehicle hits him or her. “And people start beating the driver and kill him finally. But no one was to blame for the accident, though the driver gave his life.” She advised people to call the police on 999 to rescue the victim and take him to the hospital as now police services are now very good. The Prime Minister asked those who are in the movement for a safe road to carry out a massive campaign in this regard.  “There’s court where it would be tried…, if it’s the fault of the drivers, then the law (court) will take action. Any shouldn’t take the laws in their own hands,” she said, adding that many people die for taking laws in their hands. The Prime Minister stressed the need for providing trainings to bus helpers alongside the drivers, ensuring the fitness of vehicles, need for alternative drivers for long route vehicles and not going for non-stop driving for a long time, and making all aware about traffic rules right from the school life. She said the government will construct restrooms for drivers along all the long-haul roads in phases as the drivers need rest in case of long driving. Mentioning about the government formulated the National Road Strategic Safety Action Plan 2017-2020, she asked to formulate another action plan. The Prime Minister said the government has been working to ensure road safety formulating different plans.   She said the government is improving rural roads so that villagers can enjoy urban facilities staying in their villages. Focusing on the ongoing road infrastructure development projects and plans, Sheikh Hasina said the government is building the road network between the capital and the rest of Bangladesh. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader presided over the function, while Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was connected through the virtual platform. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Md Nazrul Islam delivered the welcome speech. Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Md Akabbar Hossain, Chairman of ‘Nirapad Sarak Chai’ campaign actor Ilias Kanchan and noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud, among others, attended the event. Source: UNB AH

Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam on Sunday said the suspected police personnel will have to undergo dope tests and those who fail it will lose their jobs.  The commissioner announced this while addressing the DMP's monthly crime meeting at the Rajarbagh Police Lines Auditorium. “All the suspected drug-addict policemen will be subjected to drug tests. If anyone is found positive in the test, he will have to lose his job,” he said, expressing firm stance against drugs in the unit.  Commissioner Shafiqul also said the policemen associated with drugs are already under intelligence surveillance. He stressed on preparing a list of drug addicts as per information gleaned from detained drug peddlers and from beat policing.  “We would contact their guardians and help their rehab process,” he added.  The DMP boss emphasized paying special attention to the homeless children who take cheap drugs on the streets - not with any intent to rehabilitate them but rather as potential criminals when they grow up. Mentioning that the rate of crimes like murder, robbery, mugging is now relatively low in the metropolitan area, he urged his fellow colleagues to retain the performance and improve service quality.  Source: UNB AH

The candidates for government services have to perform dope test or drugs test before getting their jobs. If the test result comes positive then he or she will be considered unfit for getting the job. The home ministry has taken the decision to introduce the system of drugs test after finding the authenticity of allegations that some of the officers and employees of police, public administration and different educational institutions take drugs.  In this regard a circular was issued on December 5 signed by Health Directorate Director (Administration) Dr. Abul Kalam Azad. The circular said, while getting all kinds of government jobs the report of dope test should be included after completion of primary health check up in association with other processes and those should be sent to the Director (Hospitals and Clinics). Thousand of youths are entering into government services every year. So far, the primary health tests were being taken for the candidates who passed out in written and viva voce. AH