Nearly 80 lakh people in Bangladesh are addicted to narcotics and drug abuse is linked to over 50% of all crimes in the country, experts revealed at a seminar marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025 on Monday.
The event, titled “Commitment to Break Disorder: Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation”, was hosted by Sammilita Nari Proyas at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
Delivering the keynote, Prof. Sabina Yasmin, Head of Public Administration at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, warned that the number of drug addicts in the country could exceed 1 crore by 2030. She identified factors like easy access, low prices, and declining social values as key drivers of rising drug abuse.
“Over 200 parents have been killed by their addicted children in the last decade,” she noted, while also criticizing abusive practices at some rehabilitation centers. She cited theoretical frameworks such as Social Learning Theory and Physical Dependency Theory to explain the addictive cycle.
Prof. Saleha Yasmin of Dhaka College said that 80% of criminal suspects are drug users, and narcotics are involved in 44% of murder cases. She highlighted Bangladesh’s growing role as a transit hub in regional drug trafficking despite not being a drug-producing country.
She called for urgent reforms, including tightening drug supply, increasing prices, expanding employment for youth, and boosting awareness budgets.
Prof. Syeda Lasna Kabir from the University of Dhaka said 25% of domestic violence cases are linked to drug abuse and an estimated 500 drug-related deaths occur annually, including at least 126 women.
She also warned of rising mobile phone addiction among youth, citing a recent study that shows 75% of teenagers use their phones for at least two hours before sleeping. She blamed parental negligence, stating that urban parents spend only 8 to 12 minutes a day with their children.
Speakers emphasized that women, as “architects of the next generation,” must play a vital role in community-based awareness and prevention. They also urged the launch of a nationwide anti-drug campaign inspired by the “July spirit.”
The session, moderated by Tunazzimu Rahimur, drew participation from female researchers, students, and social activists from across the country.
LND/SAE
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