Leaving drug peddling, 26 people, including two women, from seven upazilas in the district have returned to normal life and are now earning their livelihood in an honest way.

They expressed their feelings at a views exchange meeting at Pirojpur Police Lines yesterday.

“Before we gave up drug peddling, people would look at us with disrespect. Even our family members had to bear insults from the locals,” said Jakir Hossain of Nesarabad upazila, who left drug business recently.

“Now I earn honestly through grocery trade,” said Shahin Jomadder, a former drug peddler of Bhandaria upazila.

While speaking as the chief guest, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Salam Kabir said drug abuse is a threat to the young generation.

“All of us should come forward to abolish drugs to save our young generation,” he said, adding that they would give legal assistance to those who give up drug peddling.

Additional Superintendent of Police GM Abul Kalam Azad, ASPs from different circles and officers-in-charge of seven police stations, among others, were present at the programme.