Govt to set up 7 drug rehabilitation centres in divisional cities

The government has taken an initiative to establish seven drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres, each with a capacity of 200 beds, in the country’s divisional cities to decentralise access to treatment and support the recovery of drug addicts through medical and vocational services.

The centres will be set up in Batiaghata of Khulna, Rajshahi City Corporation, Barishal Sadar, South Surma in Sylhet, Rangpur Sadar, Mymensingh Sadar, and Sitakunda in Chattogram, according to project documents.

The Tk 14.13 billion project will be fully funded by the government and implemented between July 2025 and June 2028.

The Security Services Division of the Home Ministry will lead the project which will be jointly implemented by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and the Public Works Department.

According to the project documents, the centres aim to provide modern medical services to drug addicts near their localities, transform them into productive manpower through vocational training, and help them return to a healthy life through counselling and religious motivation.

The project includes land acquisition, construction of residential and non-residential buildings, procurement of medical equipment, seven ambulances, seven microbuses, installation of CCTV, fire hydrant systems, afforestation, and off-grid solar electrification, officials said.

Currently, there are four government and 381 private drug addiction treatment centres in the country which are insufficient compared to the growing number of addicts.

Drug addiction is emerging as a grave social crisis in Bangladesh, with considerable number of youths falling prey to narcotics and synthetic drugs.

Experts and law enforcers have warned that without urgent intervention, the situation may spiral out of control, affecting public health, education, productivity, and law and order.

According to available data, an estimated 7.5 million people in Bangladesh are addicted to drugs, with a sharp rise among youths aged 15 to 35. Yaba, cannabis, heroin, phensedyl, and injectable drugs like pethidine are the most commonly abused substances.

Families of addicts continue to suffer silently as many parents face emotional and financial hardships while trying to treat their children or protect them from falling into criminal networks, experts noted.

Officials hope the establishment of modern treatment centres in each division will improve access to recovery services, reduce the burden on families, and create skilled manpower through proper rehabilitation.