The Bangladesh Chapter of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) was officially launched in Dhaka on Thursday with the aim of strengthening substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives in the country.
The launching ceremony, chaired by eminent psychiatrist Dr. M. A. Mohit Kamal, was held at the Health Sector conference room of Dhaka Ahsania Mission in the city’s Shyamoli in the afternoon.
The event brought together national and international experts, policymakers, development partners, youth leaders, and professionals working in the field.
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The primary objectives of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter are to promote evidence-based practices, enhance the professional capacity of practitioners, and create opportunities for national and international knowledge exchange.
Through this platform, collaboration among researchers, clinicians, policymakers and community leaders will be strengthened, contributing to more effective and humane responses to substance use issues.
Md. Bahauddin, Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control; Professor Dr. Golam Rahman, President of Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Abu Taher, National Programme Coordinator (HIV/AIDS), Bangladesh of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and Mohd Jahangir Alam, Special Correspondent of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), delivered special speeches at the event.
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Marzana Muntaha, Coordinator of Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Well-being, spoke as the youth representative. Ms. Olha Myshakivska, National Chapters Coordinator of ISSUP, also addressed the programme virtually.
In his welcome remarks, Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and WASH Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission and Member Secretary of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter, said substance use is currently a major public health and social concern affecting individuals, families and communities.
Addressing this challenge requires a combination of scientific knowledge, professional skills, coordinated action and a humane approach, he said.
He expressed hope that the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter would serve as an important national platform to foster such coordinated efforts.
Iqbal Masud also noted that collaboration with ISSUP began in 2015 through initial contact in Bangkok. Since then, participation in international conferences, webinars and related activities has facilitated global knowledge exchange and enabled Bangladesh to showcase its initiatives internationally.
In this context, assigning Dhaka Ahsania Mission as the host organisation of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter is a significant recognition, he added.
During the event, the official committee of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter was announced and the Chapter’s logo was unveiled.
Speakers expressed optimism that the initiative would improve professional standards in substance use prevention, treatment and recovery services in Bangladesh while enhancing coordination among relevant sectors.
At the end of the programme, guests conveyed their best wishes for the success of the ISSUP Bangladesh Chapter and expressed hope that it would play a vital role in safeguarding public health in the country.
The event was moderated by Rakhi Ganguly, Senior Psychologist of the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission. Representatives from UNODC, the Department of Narcotics Control, researchers and development partners were also present at the ceremony.