Syed Shemul Parvez :
The drug trade in Bangladesh, including the proliferation of Yaba and various new foreign drugs, continues to thrive despite the government’s declared zero-tolerance policy and regular anti-drug operations by law enforcement agencies.
The situation has become increasingly alarming with the introduction of international drugs like crystal meth (commonly known as Ice), devil’s breath, and cocaine, which pose greater dangers than Yaba.
Drug trafficking syndicates are adopting innovative strategies to evade the stringent measures implemented by the government.
Using trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles under the guise of transporting emergency goods, these criminals are smuggling consignments of Yaba, heroin, foreign wine, phensidyl, and cannabis from border areas into Dhaka, avoiding detection by law enforcement agencies.
Experts have raised concerns that if this issue is not addressed urgently, it could lead to the collapse of social values, an increase in criminal activities, widespread corruption, and a deterioration of the law and order situation in the country.
They stress that reducing the demand for drugs is crucial to curbing their supply.
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) asserts that there is a ‘close compact relationship’ between the demand and supply of narcotics.
The DNC believes that by reducing demand through public awareness campaigns, the supply of drugs can also be curtailed. Their approach emphasises the need for heightened public awareness to decrease the demand for narcotics.
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has conducted 24,874 operations up to March this year, resulting in 6,451 cases filed and 6,819 individuals accused.
Comparatively, during the same period last year, the department carried out 26,592 operations, filed 7,109 cases, and accused 7,644 individuals.
“The exact number of drug addicts in Bangladesh is uncertain, with estimates from the Narcotics and Intoxication Control Organisation (MANS) suggesting 8.5 to 9 million addicts last year and close to 10 million currently,” according to MANS founding president Professor Dr. Aruparatan Chowdhury. Official estimates place the number at 3.4 million, but various sources suggest figures as high as 7 to 10 million.
Ahsania Mission, which operates a drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centre in Dhaka, reports a worrying trend of increasing drug use among both men and women.
Deputy Director of the Directorate (Prevention Education) Manjurul Islam highlighted the significant role of border trafficking from neighbouring countries Myanmar and India.
He stressed that controlling the drug supply from these borders is crucial, but emphasised that demand reduction within the country is equally important to prevent the influx of drugs.
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has been actively involved in the fight against drug trafficking. This year, RAB arrested 2,394 drug dealers and seized substantial quantities of drugs, including 2,653,802 Yaba pills, 46.089 kg of heroin, 14,323.735 litres of foreign wine, 34,375.883 litres of local wine, 11,557.644 kg of hemp, and 8.590 kg of foreign ICE drugs. In 2023, RAB detained 9,939 individuals and confiscated 9,529,419 Yaba pills, 127.25 kg of heroin, 14,700 litres of foreign wine, 78,242 litres of local wine, 11,557.644 kg of hemp, and 30.842 kg of foreign ICE drugs.
Commander Arafat Islam, Director of RAB’s Legal and Media Wing, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to zero tolerance against drugs.
He highlighted RAB’s crucial role in apprehending drug offenders and seizing illicit substances. “We are actively updating on arrests and seizures, reflecting our serious approach to combating drug trafficking,” Commander Arafat stated to The New Nation.
He acknowledged that drug syndicates are adapting to evade enforcement efforts but assured the ongoing adoption of new policies and methods to effectively counteract these challenges.
Commander Arafat emphasised the importance of public awareness campaigns and mass mobilisation in tandem with law enforcement operations.
“Alongside awareness campaigns, we are conducting extensive drives and enhancing surveillance to identify and close new drug trafficking routes across the country,” he added. He urged collective societal efforts in the fight against drugs, underscoring it as a community-wide initiative.
Addressing concerns about the evasion of masterminds behind the drug trade, Commander Arafat assured vigilance, stating, “We remain vigilant and proactive in targeting those orchestrating drug operations.”
Dr. Khandaker Farhana Rahman, Associate Professor of the Criminology Department at the University of Dhaka, emphasised the critical role of reducing drug demand.
She told The New Nation, “The persistent demand for drugs is the primary driver of this issue. Without addressing demand through social awareness and educational initiatives, efforts to control drug trafficking will remain ineffective.”
She advocated for comprehensive educational reforms, including integrating psychologists into educational institutions for regular mental health treatments and enhancing social awareness programmes.
Dr. Farhana Rahman called for collective efforts from all segments of society, including political parties and their student wings, to combat the pervasive issue of drug abuse effectively.
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Farhana Rahman stressed the need for unified cooperation from all citizens to mitigate both the demand and supply sides of the drug trade. “As one of the country’s major challenges, reducing the prevalence of drugs requires concerted efforts from every individual to support the government’s initiatives,” she asserted.