‘82 lakh people addicted to drugs in BD’

Around 82 lakh people in Bangladesh are currently addicted to various types of drugs, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday, warning that the growing spread of synthetic and semi-synthetic narcotics is worsening the situation.

He made the remarks while speaking at a programme organised by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The minister said the government has taken initiatives to modernise the legal framework to tackle drug-related crimes and protect society from their devastating impact.

He added that the process of amending the Narcotics Control Act is in its final stage and the revised law will be placed before Parliament within days.

Salahuddin said drug trafficking has become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using online platforms and money laundering networks to operate.

“A strong legal framework is needed to deal with these evolving crimes,” he said.

He also said that law enforcement officers of the Department of Narcotics Control often have to conduct operations without adequate protection.

“DNC officers often have to fight armed drug traffickers empty-handed, like soldiers without shields or swords,” he said, adding that the department is being equipped with modern weapons, transport facilities and dog squads.

Citing DNC data, the minister said around 80,000 drug-related cases are pending across the country, including 18,000 in Dhaka and around 39,000 in Chattogram, leading to serious delays in justice delivery.

To address this backlog, the government is considering the establishment of a separate tribunal for drug-related cases, he said, adding that existing courts with relevant jurisdiction would continue to function alongside the proposed tribunal.

He further said that steps have been taken to build seven modern 200-bed drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres in major divisions, including Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Mymensingh, at a cost of Tk141.13 crore.

These centres will also provide skills training to help recovered addicts reintegrate into society.

The minister also announced that Tk1.1 crore in grants is being distributed among 73 licensed private drug treatment and rehabilitation centres in the 2025–26 fiscal year.

He urged private operators to ensure humane treatment and avoid a purely commercial approach.

Earlier, he handed over grant cheques to representatives of selected private rehabilitation centres in Dhaka.

Officials said the government is also working to modernise related laws, including those on money laundering and cybercrime, to combat technology-driven drug trafficking more effectively.