An international webinar titled “Evidence-Based Drug Prevention” was held yesterday, 12 August (Wednesday), at 6:00 PM (BST) on Zoom. The event was jointly organized by the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) Bangladesh Chapter to mark International Youth Day 2026. The seminar emphasized adopting modern, scientific methods to prevent drug use to protect the youth.
Speaking at the webinar, Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and Nutrition Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission and General Secretary of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter, stated, “The theme of this year’s International Youth Day, ‘Different Contexts, Shared Aspirations,’ reminds us that despite varying life realities, all youth share the dream of a healthy and beautiful future. However, substance use disorder is destroying these aspirations.” He added that evidence-based prevention is far more effective than traditional methods, urging families, educational institutions, government and society to scale up prevention programs aligned with international standards.
International speakers also addressed the seminar, including Olha Myshakivska, National Chapters Coordinator for ISSUP; Rasha Abi Hana, Scientific Support Coordinator, ISSUP; and Cressida de Witte, Secretary General of the World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD). Additionally, A F M Sadman Sakib, a member of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum, delivered remarks.
Professor Dr. M. A. Mohit Kamal, Chairman of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter, highlighted, “To prevent drug use among youth, we must not only work for them but also work with them, because today’s youth are the future leaders of the nation.”
Moderated by Marjana Muntaha, Coordinator of the Ahsania Mission Youth Forum, the webinar saw active participation from youth representatives across Bangladesh and abroad. Speakers called for curbing drug trafficking, modernizing law enforcement, and prioritizing youth mental health. The session concluded with a joint call from the organizing bodies urging the government, civil society, and development organizations to collaboratively implement evidence-based drug prevention policies to ensure a safe, healthy, and drug-free environment for the youth.