Easy availability of drugs on campus

Bangladesh's universities are often celebrated as beacons of knowledge, incubators of talent and gateways to the nation's future. Yet beneath this educational light lies an invisible and growing challenge: the spread of drug abuse.

Drug use on campus is no longer an isolated phenomenon. Peer pressure, mental stress, and loneliness often push young people towards vaping, prescription drugs, cannabis, ecstasy, and other stronger stimulants. Residential halls, off-campus hostels, and social gatherings frequently act as entry points. The easy availability of these substances through friends and online networks has accelerated this culture.

Similarly, sexual behaviour among students is increasingly visible. Curiosity, peer influence and exposure to online content are shaping student behaviour. Reports indicate that irregular relationships, digital sexual exchanges and risky sexual practices are on the rise among unmarried students.

While university administrations enforce rules and security measures, students often bypass them through social media, secluded areas, and off-campus spaces. Campus parties, social events, and nightlife culture further accelerate these unofficial activities.

Bangladesh's universities thus reflect a dual reality: remarkable academic achievements coexist with a largely unseen social dynamic that quietly shapes student behaviour, relationships, and experiences. Addressing this requires not only strict enforcement of rules but also awareness programmes, counselling, and open dialogue to guide students towards responsible choices.

Ibrahim Khalil

Student

Patuakhali Science and Technology University