4.6m use illegal drugs in country

Nearly 4.6 million (46 lakh) people in the country use illegal drugs as Bangladesh is the most vulnerable for drug abuse and its illicit trafficking due to its geographic and strategic location, according to Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). DNC sources said illegal drugs have been smuggled into the country through some 49 points along the borders with the two neighbouring countries. Generally, less educated, unemployed, low-income group and homeless people as well as those with adverse family environment are more vulnerable to using illegal drugs. A top DNC official said they have no accurate figure of drug users due to the absence of a countrywide survey. - UNB