Taking up cycling to say no to drugs

The "Love Life and Not Drugs" event was organized by the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCC). The National Drug Control Board has supported the initiative because classical conferences are not enough to raise awareness among the population. There are 6 million drug addicts, some 80% young people.

Gazipur (AsiaNews) - An anti-drug cycle. One way to bring to the streets a problem that involves 6 million drug addicts in Bangladesh for 80% young and very young. The initiative took place yesterday in eight parishes. From Dharenda to Dhaka to Doripara to Gazipur, cyclists traveled 60 kilometers.

The "Love Life and Not Drugs" event was organized by the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCC). The parish priest of Dharenda Albert Rozario guided the initiative. Representative of the National Drug Control Board, the Muslim Arup Ratan Chudhary, was the main host of the event.

Rozario has sounded an alarm on the spread of drugs in schools, where many students are now dependent. A situation that unfortunately also involves the Christian community. Indeed, if in the past some were only concerned with alcohol, many young Christians now appear to be addicted to various drugs such as yaba, heroin, etc. And many families are ruined because of this problem.

Chudhary, who has been busy nationwide over this front, explains to AsiaNews: "We organized many seminars, in five-star hotels, in the comfortable air-conditioned rooms, but the message failed to reach the goal. This initiative, on the other hand, is visible to everyone because cyclists pass hand out leaflets and meet people. "

Nicholas Rozario, a student at a Catholic school, tells AsiaNews: "Seeing us on the move, citizens also push themselves to get involved in getting rid of drugs".

Prodip Chandro Das, a young Hindu , spoke to AsiaNews after receiving a handout: "I've seen that there are many young people, I heard from them that I should give up drugs." Upon arrival, cyclists planted an olive tree as a symbol of a new culture of life that must grow.

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• Bangladesh
• Drugs