A. R. Salauddin Ferdous

Drug addiction in Bangladesh has grown into a formidable national crisis—silently engulfing individuals, families, and communities across every stratum of society. Once perceived as a marginal problem affecting only a handful of misguided youths or urban slum dwellers, the spread of substance abuse has now become alarmingly widespread. More than eight million people are estimated to be addicted to drugs in the country today, with a significant portion of them falling within the 15–30 age range. These are our students, job-seekers, artists, labourers, and our nation's future. But that future is being silently eroded by yaba, heroin, phensedyl, cannabis.

The rise in drug abuse is not a random occurrence, nor is it the result of individual weakness alone. It is symptomatic of deeper social and psychological fractures that are yet to be adequately addressed. Widespread unemployment, academic pressure, future uncertainty, family breakdowns, and the general absence of mental health care have created a fragile environment, especially for the youth. A young man or woman with no job, no direction, and no one to talk to is especially vulnerable to the false promise of temporary relief that drugs seem to offer.

Family dysfunction plays a key role in this narrative. Broken homes, absent fathers, abusive relationships, and emotional neglect create long-lasting trauma in children and adolescents. In homes where affection is replaced by anger or indifference and guidance is replaced by control or negligence, young people grow up feeling alienated. They learn not to trust, not to open up, and not to hope. For them, a single offer to “try something to feel better” can trigger a downward spiral into addiction. In many such cases, the first encounter with drugs happens within the peer circle—among classmates, friends, or neighbours. The invitation is often casual: “Just once; it’s fun.” But that “once” becomes the beginning of a slow suicide.

Social media and modern entertainment platforms have compounded the problem. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are filled with content that normalizes or even glamorizes drug use—portraying it as stylish, rebellious, or creative. In the absence of critical awareness, these influences can have a dangerous impact on impressionable minds. Drug use becomes associated not with illness and suffering but with status, confidence, and liberation. This distortion is not only misleading—it is deadly.

What starts out as fun experimentation quickly turns into a strong addiction. The addict's personality changes. Their mental abilities get worse. They lose control of their feelings, stop doing their duties, and may become angry or violent. Their academic or professional lives crumble. At this stage, families enter a cycle of heartbreak, denial, and desperation. Parents exhaust their savings on treatments that often fail. Siblings live in fear and shame. Sometimes, in the face of unbearable pressure, families simply give up and disown their addicted members.

Not only does the tragedy affect the person, but it also hurts society as a whole. Drug addiction leads to a whole economy of crime, including theft, mugging, extortion, gang violence, sexual assault, and even murder. Law enforcement is stretched too thin, communities become unsafe, and people lose faith in the police. In cities with a lot of people, like Dhaka and Chattogram, drug-related gangs have become so powerful that whole neighbourhoods live in fear of them.

From a national perspective, the consequences are grave. A society whose youth are addicted to drugs cannot innovate, compete, or develop sustainably. Productivity declines, healthcare costs rise, and law enforcement agencies are stretched thin. The flow of illegal money from drug trafficking makes the economy less transparent and often overlaps with other types of organised crime, such as terrorism and human trafficking. Also, when powerful people, sometimes with political protection, are found to be involved in drug trafficking, the public loses faith in the law and in government.

The government of Bangladesh has taken several steps to curb the menace. Law enforcement groups like RAB, BGB, and the Department of Narcotics Control often raid places. News outlets frequently report massive seizures of yaba, phensedyl bottles, or heroin consignments. While these efforts are commendable, they raise a troubling question: if so many drugs are being seized every week, how are they still so widely available? Why does it seem like the number of drugs available on the street hasn't changed, even though there have been more raids?

The answer, unfortunately, lies in systemic loopholes. Corruption, lack of monitoring, inter-agency coordination, and political interference all contribute to this problem. There are a number of powerful drug lords that operate within the system, with significant amounts of financial and political influence. Even when arrests are made, convictions are rare. Trials are delayed, evidence is lost, and witnesses are intimidated. The message this sends to society is clear: the law is loud but not strong.

It is equally depressing to observe the state of rehabilitation programs. Government-run treatment centres are few and inadequately resourced. Many of them lack trained counsellors, medical personnel, or even basic infrastructure. On the other hand, private rehab centres, though better equipped, are too expensive for most families. As a result, countless addicts—especially those from poor or rural backgrounds—never receive the help they need. They continue to suffer, relapse, or die in silence.

However, it is not completely beyond hope. The problem, though severe, is not beyond repair. But addressing it requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and compassionate approach.

First and foremost, families must take greater responsibility. Love, trust, communication, and care—these are the true antidotes to addiction. Children must be raised in an environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued. Discipline must be balanced with empathy. Parents should educate themselves about early signs of drug abuse and mental distress.

Education is another important weapon. Drug awareness programs should be fully integrated into the existing curriculum in schools and colleges. Not just lectures and posters but include real-life stories, pictures, visual media and hands-on sessions. Students must be taught not just to fear drugs but to understand why people use them and how to seek help. Equally as important, appoint school counsellors, social workers and trained psychologists to help students.

Employment is another crucial aspect. A young man with a job and purpose is much less likely to become an addict than one who is idle and feeling hopeless. The government and private sector must invest more in skill development programs, apprenticeships, and youth entrepreneurship initiatives. In addition, we need to focus on rural areas to develop opportunities for sustainable employment.

Mental health services need to put incredible effort into reform. Depression, trauma, and anxiety—these should be treated with the same seriousness as any physical illness. Community clinics, hospitals, and educational institutions should offer accessible, affordable, and confidential counseling. There needs to be ongoing public campaigns that promote the act of seeking psychological help as normal, useful, and even essential to our well-being.

Religious and cultural institutions can play an important role in the healing process. Mosques, temples, churches, and community centres must speak up about the dangers of addiction. Faith-based teachings, community support groups, and spiritual counselling have helped many people reclaim their lives. Similarly, artists, filmmakers, writers, and musicians must use their platforms to create powerful anti-drug narratives that can influence public perception.

Reforms in law enforcement are long needed. Drug trafficking cannot be stopped just by targeting street-level users. The emphasis should move to destroying supply systems, targeting high-level dealers, and disrupting banking networks. Surveillance technologies, border management systems, and inter-agency intelligence sharing must be enhanced. Anti-narcotics efforts must be free of political interference and held accountable for their results.

Finally, the rehabilitation sector must be overhauled. Addiction should be seen as a public health issue, not just a criminal offense. There should be a modern, well-resourced, staffed rehab facility in every district of Bangladesh. Rehabilitation should not end with detox; it must include counselling, education, vocational training, and community reintegration. Former addicts who have recovered should be encouraged to serve as mentors, guiding others by sharing their personal experiences.

In conclusion, drug addiction is not a problem of others—it is a problem of us all. Every time we ignore a crying child, silence a struggling friend, or turn a blind eye to a neighbour who is suffering, we allow addiction to grow. Every time we blame rather than understand, punish rather than rehabilitate, we create darkness instead of light. The war against drugs cannot be won by laws and bullets alone. It must be fought with compassion, education, opportunity, and above all, hope.

The time to act is now. If we fail to protect our youth today, we forfeit the right to dream of a better future.

The writer is essayist and columnist,

former Student of the Department of Statistics,

Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University.He can be reached at email ferdous5803@gmail.com