The menace of unabated drug trafficking

One of the most alarming and persistent challenges confronting the nation today is the scourge of drug abuse and the illicit trafficking of narcotic substances, threatening public health, law and order, and the very fabric of society. Despite repeated calls for effective action and the observance of international days dedicated to raising awareness against drug abuse, the grim reality is that drug trafficking continues unabated, with ever-expanding tentacles reaching vulnerable populations and pushing countless individuals into the abyss of self-harm.

The recently observed International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking served as a sombre reminder of the scale and severity of the problem. Statistics shared on this occasion revealed a troubling picture: drug trafficking is steadily rising, and the number of people succumbing to drug addiction is also on an upward trajectory. The authorities' struggle to counter these twin threats was candidly acknowledged by none other than the Home Adviser to the interim government. He admitted that the law enforcement and oversight agencies have not succeeded in stemming the tide, let alone eliminating it.

This admission underscores a critical policy failure --- the inability of institutions to keep pace with the rapidly evolving and highly organised networks of drug traffickers. These networks have become increasingly sophisticated, exploiting gaps in law enforcement, porous borders, weak regulatory systems and, in many cases, the collusion or negligence of officials. Traffickers have developed elaborate supply chains, with international links that channel narcotics across borders and into the hands of local distributors who, in turn, push drugs onto the streets.

Among the most trafficked substances are heroin, yaba (a methamphetamine-based pill), phensedyl, and cannabis. Yaba, in particular, has wreaked havoc among the youth, drawing them into a vicious cycle of craving, health deterioration, and crime. The high profit margins in this illegal trade incentivise ever more dangerous actors to enter the market, fuelling an arms race of sorts between traffickers and law enforcement agencies.

The number of drug addicts in the country is 8.3 million. While the drug addicted persons are predominantly male, addiction is also found among women and adolescents. This estimate comes from a recent survey, the first of its kind conducted by the government body, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).

According to the DNC survey, the number of men among the total addicts stands at 7.76 million, while 285,000 are women and 255,000 children and adolescents. Of the addicts, 6.1 million (52 per cent) are addicted to cannabis (ganja), 2.3 million (20 per cent) to yaba, 2.02 million (17 per cent) to alcohol, 346,000 to phensedyl and similar drugs, and 320,000 to heroin. The survey said 300,000 people take sleeping pills as drugs, 160,000 take glue/adhesives like dandy and 39,000 take intravenous drugs. While the substance-wise total adds up to around 11.7 million, many users are addicted to more than one substance, so the adjusted total is 8.3 million.

On each International Drug Day, the DNC publishes an annual 'Drug Report'. This year's version, Drug Report 2024, notes that despite not being a drug-producing country, Bangladesh is geographically vulnerable due to its proximity to international drug trafficking routes such as 'Golden Triangle' (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand), Golden Crescent (Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan), and Golden Wedge (parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan).

Bangladesh shares borders with India and Myanmar across 32 districts, making it a transit point for both traditional and synthetic drugs for over four decades. The report identifies 104 high-risk border points: 43 points at eight districts in the western region, 21 points at four districts in the eastern region, 21 points at five districts in the northern region and 19 points at Cox's Bazar.

According to the UNCTAD's (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) 2023 report, Bangladesh loses USD$481 million (approximately Tk 5,900 crore) annually to drug trafficking. Bangladesh ranks fifth in the world in terms of money laundering through drug trade.

The social fallout of rampant drug trafficking and abuse is profound. Families are torn apart as members become addicted, often turning to petty crime or even violent acts to feed their habit. Young people, who should be investing their time in education and skill-building, instead find their futures derailed by addiction. The broader community suffers from rising levels of insecurity, as drug-related crimes including robbery, extortion, and gang violence proliferate. Moreover, the burden on the healthcare system grows, with increasing numbers of addicts requiring medical attention, rehabilitation, and psychological support.

Despite these devastating consequences, the efforts to contain the problem have been piecemeal at best. While there have been periodic crackdowns and seizures of contraband, these measures are too often reactive rather than proactive, and lack the sustained momentum needed to dismantle the deeper structures of drug trafficking syndicates.

The admission by the Home Adviser of the authorities' failure to curb the drug menace should not be taken as a mere statement of fact but as a rallying cry for urgent, coordinated and determined action. Unabated drug trafficking is not just a law and order problem; it is a multifaceted societal crisis demanding comprehensive response. Political will must be mobilised at the highest levels, community initiatives ecouraged and supported, and enforcement mechanisms modernised and made more transparent.

wasiahmed.bd@gmail.com