Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government will provide financial assistance to the drug dealers who have surrendered so that they can do other business and earn their livelihoods honestly.
The prime minister said this in responding to a supplementary question from ruling party MP Mahfuzur Rahman in parliament on Wednesday.
Sheikh Hasina said the drug dealers surrendered to police out of guilt and self-awareness.
"From among the drug dealers, the addicts are being treated, and we are providing assistance to their families," she said.
The prime minister said the government has taken a zero tolerance policy against drugs in the country and the ongoing police drive against the menace will continue.
She said drug dealers have come to realize that selling or transporting drugs is a crime.
In 2018, law enforcement agencies lodged 119,878 cases in their anti-drug drives, where some 161,323 persons were accused, Hasina said.
From 2009-2018, the government has distributed 35,85,796 leaflets, 1,83,148 stickers, 10,17,171 posters, published 102,802 bulletins, and held 64,436 discussion meetings across the country, the prime minister said.
Replying to another supplementary question from Jatiya Party (JaPa) MP, Kazi Firoz Rashid, Hasina said she does politics for the people of the country, not for herself.
"So, I try to know what will be better for the people or not. And I try to solve the problems. People elected me with their votes. So, I take it as my duty," the premier said.