About 0.1m people involved in illegal drug trade: DNC
Thursday, 26 June 2008
The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) said that about 100,000 people, of whom 30 per cent are women and children, are involved in illegal drugs trade with Dhaka being the largest market, reports bdnews24.com.
"It is unfortunate for us that we have failed to control the use of narcotics," DNC director general (DG) Humayun Kabir told the reporters Wednesday, on the eve of the globally observed anti-drugs day (June 26).
Drug addicts spend at least Tk 460 million on narcotics every day, the DNC DG said.
He clarified that there was no specific government data on the number of drug addicts or drug use in the country.
A private organisation Family Hall International carried out a survey in 2004 that found that there were some 4.6 million (46 lakh) drug addicts in the country. No such survey has been done since, Kabir said. "But a drug addict spends at least Tk 100 every day."
Heroin is the most widely abused hard drug, while Yaba has become popular as a 'fashionable' drug, the DNC chief said. Around 75 per cent addicts are from 15 to 30 years of age.
"We have to increase public awareness about the harmful effect of illegal drugs, and build up social resistance against its use," he said.
DNC deputy director Abu Taleb said the department suffered a shortage of manpower, with only one person for 2,50,000 people, while many posts have remained vacant for long.
"There are vehicles for our officials in only seven out of 64 districts across the country. We don't have necessary equipment also," he said.
Replying to a question from the media, he said: "The department does not have any comprehensive data on numbers of individuals involved in drug trade."
"Some 8,000 cases are filed on an average every year, and some 8,500 people involved with the drug trade are arrested every year. From these figures, we can estimate that about 1,00,000 people are involved with drug trade."
"Abuse and trade of narcotics is mainly urban-oriented. Dhaka is by far the largest market," he added.
The deputy director said drug traders prefer to use women and children for carrying and selling drugs, as they enjoy relative safety from the law-enforcers.
The traders consider children as the 'safest', Taleb said, as the law is least strict on them, and they can be employed for running drugs at lower costs.
"It is unfortunate for us that we have failed to control the use of narcotics," DNC director general (DG) Humayun Kabir told the reporters Wednesday, on the eve of the globally observed anti-drugs day (June 26).
Drug addicts spend at least Tk 460 million on narcotics every day, the DNC DG said.
He clarified that there was no specific government data on the number of drug addicts or drug use in the country.
A private organisation Family Hall International carried out a survey in 2004 that found that there were some 4.6 million (46 lakh) drug addicts in the country. No such survey has been done since, Kabir said. "But a drug addict spends at least Tk 100 every day."
Heroin is the most widely abused hard drug, while Yaba has become popular as a 'fashionable' drug, the DNC chief said. Around 75 per cent addicts are from 15 to 30 years of age.
"We have to increase public awareness about the harmful effect of illegal drugs, and build up social resistance against its use," he said.
DNC deputy director Abu Taleb said the department suffered a shortage of manpower, with only one person for 2,50,000 people, while many posts have remained vacant for long.
"There are vehicles for our officials in only seven out of 64 districts across the country. We don't have necessary equipment also," he said.
Replying to a question from the media, he said: "The department does not have any comprehensive data on numbers of individuals involved in drug trade."
"Some 8,000 cases are filed on an average every year, and some 8,500 people involved with the drug trade are arrested every year. From these figures, we can estimate that about 1,00,000 people are involved with drug trade."
"Abuse and trade of narcotics is mainly urban-oriented. Dhaka is by far the largest market," he added.
The deputy director said drug traders prefer to use women and children for carrying and selling drugs, as they enjoy relative safety from the law-enforcers.
The traders consider children as the 'safest', Taleb said, as the law is least strict on them, and they can be employed for running drugs at lower costs.