DU wants to have its students tested, but does not yet know how

Authorities at Dhaka University recently decided to conduct doping tests on first-year students in an effort to keep the campus drug-free. But authorities still do not know how the decision will be implemented.

Some of the students praised the decision, saying it would help reduce the number of drug addicts on campus, while some said the decision went against “personal freedom”, fearing that authorities could use the system to harass and oppress students.

The decision was taken in principle at a union meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman on September 1, confirmed Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Vice-Chancellor (Education).

“Now the committee will formulate policies on the process, the facilities and its implementation,” Professor Maksud told UNB.

A seven-member committee was formed to formulate a policy for the conduct of doping tests with the director of Dhaka Medical College, Dr Titu Miah, as the organizer.

Dr Titu Miah, chairman of the newly formed committee, told UNB that as part of the system, doping tests would be carried out at the university when recruiting teachers and admitting new students each year.

“In addition, students can be tested once a year in phases. However, the decision must be made based on the capacity of the university, which is currently absent. This will require equipment and manpower. We are working on whether the doping tests will be done at the university or in any other institution, and how the decision can be implemented, ”he added.

“We mainly discussed with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib University Medical Hospital and they agreed to collaborate with us, but a new decision will be made after approval from the university authorities,” Dr Titu Miah also said.

“Freshmen or teachers must pay their own fees for the doping test, with which they must collect a doping test certificate before completing registration. The doping test would be compulsory for all types of recruitment. at university, ”he explained.

Asked about the decision that would be made for people who test positive for doping, Dr Titu Miah said: “It is not yet final. The university authorities will take decisions in this regard. advice from the university. “

Dr Mohammad Humayun Kabir, professor in the Department of Islamic History and Culture and union member, said the Deans Committee recommended that the doping test be carried out on first-year students.

“However, I think the Bangladeshi facility does not have such a capacity to carry out doping tests on 7,000 freshers and provide results within two months,” he noted.

A special report of an August 25 deans committee meeting was submitted to the union in which the committee made some recommendations on student doping tests, Humayun Kabir revealed.

The recommendations of the committee of deans include the development of its own DU system for doping tests and the signing of a memorandum of understanding with those who have the capacity to carry out doping tests. Accordingly, he also proposed that a committee be formed for these purposes.

It was learned that the fifth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Public Order on February 17, chaired by Minister of Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque, decided to make doping tests compulsory upon admission. students at all universities and educational institutions.

“We are all against drugs”

A section of university teachers and students hailed the move, saying it would help control drug addiction on campus, while some opposed it, fearing authorities would use the system to harass and oppress first year students.

Professor Lutfur Rahman, facilitator of the BNP-supported White Panel teachers at Dhaka University, said the doping test is “unnecessary”. “I don’t think the doping control decision makes sense. It doesn’t match the overall situation at the university,” he added.

The president of the Association of Professors of Dhaka University, Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan, said, “I welcomed the decision. Everyone will pay attention if the university authority correctly implements its decision.

However, Abdus Samad, the president of the DU teachers’ association, “Blue Panel”, declined to comment on the matter.

Among the students, the general secretary of the Chhatra League Dhaka University unit, Saddam Hossain, said: “Inclusive social awareness is needed to tackle drug addiction. The university should not take such a decision which would hamper the freedom and social dignity of students. “

Rakibul Islam, President of Dhaka University, Chhatra Dal, said, “Thousands of university students are prone to drug addiction. This grim scenario can be replaced by the implementation of such a strict preventive method. Students are motivated to use drugs because of their circumstances, he said.

Salman Siddique, chairman of the Socialist Student Front’s DU unit, told UNB: “We are all against drugs, but the way the university looks at tackling drugs is neither scientific nor democratic. Doping tests will not be successful. But the authorities can use doping tests. method to harass students, teachers.

When contacted, Prof. VC Md Akhtaruzzam said: “We are trying to uproot drugs from our society. It is not possible to control everyone without an institutional initiative.

Drug addiction has become a serious concern for the students of the University of Dhaka. The university campus and its adjacent areas have become safe havens for drug addicts and traffickers amid the closure of the country’s first educational institution due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On May 15, Dhaka University student Hafizur, 24, died cutting himself with a machete after taking LSD in the Curzon Hall area. He committed suicide while under the influence of drugs.

In addition, drug use is ubiquitous in university residences. Drug addicts take drugs in groups on rooftops and in dormitory rooms when the campus is open.

Rakibul, a resident student of Sergeant Zahurul Haq Hall, said: “When the university was open, alcohol or marijuana was taken in groups on the roof of our apartment building at night. Student leaders from different halls participated in such activities.

However it is implemented, the doping test system will help alleviate the existing grim scenario, he hoped.