A scientific seminar titled ‘Advancing Strategies for Harm Reduction in Addiction: A Focus on Preventative Interventions and Safer Alternatives,’ organized by Athena Limited (Mental Health Wellbeing Centre), was held on October 20 at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Dhaka.
The event addressed the pressing issue of various addictions, which has become an alarming public health crisis in Bangladesh, with the country having a very high smoking rate.
The seminar emphasized the potential of integrating tobacco control strategies alongside adoption of safer alternatives to curb smoking-related diseases and fatalities, marking significant progress in public health. Distinguished medical professionals from various fields engaged in insightful discussions on this crucial topic.
Brig. Gen (retd.) Prof. Dr. Md. Azizul Islam, a renowned psychiatrist and principal of US-Bangla Medical College, presided over the event.
In his address, he underscored the importance of adopting both physiological and psychological approaches to tobacco risk mitigation, emphasizing that such methods would benefit smokers and society as a whole.
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Md. Golam Rabbani, former Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for the Protection of Neuro-Developmental Disabilities, attended as the guest of honor.
He highlighted the strong correlation between smoking and mental health issues, stating, “40% to 50% of smokers suffer from some form of mental disturbance; either they begin smoking because of it or smoking leads to it. This is not only a challenge for doctors but also for society and the entire nation to develop pragmatic strategies to address this issue.”
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Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed, Professor at the National Institute of Mental Health, delivered the keynote presentation, emphasizing the importance of both demand and supply reduction in tobacco addiction treatment while exploring innovative strategies to reduce tobacco harm.
Psychiatrist Dr. Chiranjeeb Biswas followed with a compelling presentation on the practical and effective interventions to treat various addictions and dependence, especially tobacco dependence.
One of the central themes of the seminar was to highlight the safer alternatives to traditional smoking.
Experts highlighted that comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, when paired with preventative interventions, can significantly lower the health risks associated with tobacco use.
They stressed that these methods not only offer a more practical pathway for tobacco users, but also hold promise for improving public health on a wider scale. The experts urged that policies should align with tobacco control strategies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive integrated approaches.
They also highlighted that coordinated efforts between public health authorities and policymakers are crucial for ensuring lasting progress in curbing smoking-related diseases and addiction.
The seminar was moderated by Nusrat Sabrin Chowdhury, Mental Health Counselor at Athena Limited, and was attended by Athena’s Managing Director, Dr. Iftekhar E Alam Siddiqui, an expert in addiction treatment.
The event concluded with an engaging panel discussion, where specialists from various medical fields reflected on the importance of preventive measures and safer alternatives in the fight against addiction and tobacco use. The seminar offered valuable perspectives on the future of public health policies in Bangladesh, providing a foundation for ongoing efforts to mitigate the challenges posed by addiction and tobacco use in society.