DNC concerned about Yaba, not alcohol
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has expressed grave concern over the spread of Yaba, warning of its destructive impact on the country's youth.
"Yaba is not under control in the country. If this continues, our youth will be destroyed," said Additional Director General Muhammad Yusuf at a national seminar titled "Effects and Remedies of Narcotics" held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday (January 20).
Yusuf emphasised that while substances like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, opium, and marijuana are relatively controlled, Yaba remains a significant threat.
"Continuous use of Yaba for three to four years leaves a person mentally dead. At some point, they become unable to speak, deteriorate physically, and eventually die. Rehabilitation for Yaba users is nearly impossible," he said.
The seminar highlighted the challenges of curbing Yaba, particularly since all manufacturing facilities are located in Myanmar. Yusuf pointed out that if domestic demand for Yaba were eliminated, cross-border trafficking would naturally decline.
He also noted the proactive measures taken by law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), to prevent Yaba's entry into the country.
Speaking as a special guest, Colonel Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, Additional Inspector General of Prisons, revealed that drug-related offenses account for 25% of the prison population, numbering between 15,000 and 20,000 inmates. "A large part of societal crimes are drug-related. Most offenders receive short-term sentences of one to six months, often returning to prison repeatedly," he said.
Efforts are underway to rehabilitate drug-addicted inmates through medical and therapeutic processes. However, challenges arise as most offenders serve short sentences, limiting the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. "Those convicted by mobile courts for drug offenses often do not receive rigorous imprisonment, which hampers the reform process," Kamal added.
The seminar, chaired by Sajidur Rahman, Secretary General of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, also included discussions from various scholars and leaders. Syed Affan Mansurpuri from India was present as an international speaker at the seminar.
Shaykh Mufti Hafizuddin, President of Madani Majlis Bangladesh, called drug addiction a "serious disease" that is eroding the nation’s moral and social fabric.
Participants, including Shaykhul Hadith Maulana Abdul Ghaffar and educationist Maulana Abdur Razzak Nadwi, emphasised the need for collective societal efforts to combat drug abuse.
They urged scholars, citizens, and policymakers to raise awareness and work together to address the crisis.
The seminar also featured the unveiling of the book "Alcohol and Addiction" and the presentation of a research paper titled "Drug Abuse and Remedies." Other distinguished attendees included Commander Mahbubur Rahman (Retd.), Major General (Retd.) Mohiuddin Chowdhury Mohan, and Captain (Retd.) S. M. Helal.
