- Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury
Every year on June 26, the world comes together to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In 2025, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has chosen a powerful and timely theme: “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention. Break the cycle. #Stop organized crime.” This theme carries an unmistakable urgency. It calls on all of us—governments, communities, and families—to invest in strong, evidence-based prevention programs to safeguard our younger generation from the devastating grip of addiction.
The age-old wisdom that “prevention is better than cure” finds its strongest relevance in the fight against drug abuse. Addiction isn’t like most other diseases. When left unaddressed, its consequences extend far beyond the individual. It corrodes the moral fabric of families, destabilizes communities, and weakens the very foundation of society. That is why experts are stressing the need for prevention grounded in data, compassion, and early intervention—before drug use begins and takes root.
Throughout my years of advocacy, I have always emphasized one truth: young people are the most valuable asset of any nation. Their creativity, resilience, energy, and sense of justice shape the direction a country takes. Bangladesh, with its vibrant and growing youth population, has the potential to leap forward into a new era of development and equity. We’ve seen how the youth have already left their mark—during the July uprising, for example, when their courage sparked significant social and political momentum. That sense of hope is real. But it is fragile. If we don’t protect them now, that hope may be lost to the overwhelming threat of drugs.
Unfortunately, that threat is no longer distant or hidden. Drug abuse has found its way into nearly every layer of our society, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The crisis is real, widespread, and growing more dangerous every day. Like parasites, drugs are feeding off the promise of our youth, draining them of their health, their futures, and their dreams. If we do not act swiftly and decisively, we risk watching an entire generation—tasked with leading a fairer and stronger Bangladesh—fall into despair and dysfunction.
Some stories are too tragic to ignore. Earlier this year, one such story shook the nation. On April 29, a father named Mohammad Ali from Sreepur, Gazipur, surrendered to police after killing his drug-addicted son. Driven to despair by years of violent behavior and addiction, this father did the unthinkable. It’s impossible not to be haunted by this act. What level of emotional torment must a parent experience to commit such a tragedy?
And sadly, this is not an isolated case. Media reports indicate that between 2012 and 2022, nearly 200 parents in Bangladesh were murdered by their own drug-addicted children. In addition to these shocking figures, we continue to hear stories of addiction-fueled domestic violence, financial ruin, sexual assault, and even acts of terrorism. The loss of self-control that addiction causes strips people of their humanity. It’s a profound moral and social collapse—and one that demands our full attention.
Drug trafficking, meanwhile, continues to accelerate. Despite ongoing law enforcement efforts, narcotics are entering the country by land and sea—especially through border routes in Cox’s Bazar. The first week of March 2025 alone saw authorities seize over 630,000 yaba tablets, 500 grams of heroin, and 23 kilograms of cannabis. Twenty-one traffickers were arrested—including women and members of the Rohingya community. These arrests barely scratch the surface. The scale of drug circulation in Bangladesh is massive, and it is growing.
Even public spaces, once safe and peaceful, are now under siege. SohrawardyUdyan, one of Dhaka’s largest parks, has become a well-known hotspot for open drug use due to lax security. Families, students, and tourists who once enjoyed the park now risk exposure to dangerous and illegal activities. And this is only one example. Such scenes are unfolding across cities, towns, and villages throughout the country.
This crisis is happening at a particularly delicate moment. Nearly 49% of Bangladesh’s population is under the age of 24. This “youth dividend” could be the engine for long-term national growth and prosperity. But without protection, support, and structure, this demographic strength could quickly turn into a massive liability.
Private studies suggest that around 8 million people in Bangladesh are currently addicted to drugs. Among these, 85% of yaba users are under the age of 30. If we do not intervene now, this figure could exceed 10 million by the year 2030. Addiction is a disease—one that destroys both mind and body. It can cause mental health disorders, cognitive decline, and an increased risk of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Many drug users engage in risky behavior—committing crimes, engaging in unsafe sex, or turning violent.
Statistics are equally disturbing. Around 98% of drug users are smokers, and about 60% are involved in criminal activities. Often, it begins with something as seemingly harmless as a cigarette. Over time, addiction progresses—from tobacco to yaba, phensedyl, shisha, heroin, cocaine, LSD, and other powerful substances. The long-term damage caused by these drugs—to the brain, liver, kidneys, and heart—is often irreversible.
What’s even more alarming is how addiction is taking root in educational institutions. From high schools to universities, students are falling prey to drug abuse. Once centers of learning and aspiration, these institutions are now vulnerable to the scourge of addiction. As academic performance suffers, so too does the future of the nation’s intellectual and economic development. Some young people are joining gangs and turning to violence and extortion to sustain their drug habits. Gang culture is growing—and with it, fear and insecurity.
Adding to this toxic environment is the glorification of drug use in popular media. Social media platforms are flooded with content featuring young people openly using drugs. In dramas, web series, and films, lead characters are seen smoking or using narcotics, sending powerful and dangerous messages to impressionable youth. These portrayals normalize addiction and make destructive behavior seem exciting or acceptable. We must put an end to this. The government should impose strict legal restrictions on such depictions and ensure that awareness campaigns, warning labels, and educational programming are included across all platforms.
To effectively respond to this crisis, we need a nationwide, coordinated prevention strategy. This strategy should focus on strengthening psychosocial support, promoting moral and values-based education, fostering grassroots awareness, and actively involving youth in prevention activities. UNODC’s call to invest in prevention is more relevant than ever.
Currently, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Department of Narcotics Control, leads the national response to drug abuse. But this issue is far too complex for a single ministry to tackle alone. The Ministry of Education must step in and ensure that anti-drug and anti-tobacco units are set up in every educational institution, accompanied by regular awareness campaigns. The Ministries of Youth and Sports, Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Women and Children Affairs, Information and Broadcasting, and Cultural Affairs must also join forces. A unified national action plan is needed—one that includes regular drug testing in schools, active monitoring of digital media, and urgent updates to the Tobacco Control Act to ban the sale, promotion, and use of e-cigarettes, vapes, and similar products.
Just as important as prevention and regulation is how we treat those who are already affected. Addiction is not a crime—it is a public health issue. Stigma, shame, and secrecy only make the situation worse. Too many families hide a child’s addiction out of fear of social judgment. But silence allows the disease to grow.
To all parents: if your child is struggling with addiction, please don’t ignore it. Don’t respond with punishment or rejection. Guide them to treatment with love and understanding. With proper care, they can heal. They can return stronger—and ready to build a meaningful life.
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. The future lies in the hands of our youth. If we hope to see a healthier, stronger, and more just nation, we must act now. Prevention must be strengthened. Drug networks must be dismantled. Treatment and rehabilitation must be made widely available. Addiction is not a moral failure—it is a national emergency.
To truly break the cycle of drug abuse, we must address every angle: reduce demand, control supply, ensure treatment, and support recovery. If we do this together—government, civil society, and families—we still have time. But that window is closing.
Let us act today—before it is too late.
Writer: Heroic Freedom Fighter Professor Dr. ArupRatan Choudhury
Recipient of EkusheyPadak
Founder President, MANAS- MadakDarbo O NeshaNirodhSangstha,
Visiting Professor, Dental Surgery Department, BIRDEM General Hospital
Co-coordinator, Ibrahim Medical College Dental Unit