Drugs trafficking menace at DU
Saturday, 16 June 2007
Ripan Kumar Biswas
IT is painful to hear about a baneful condition of drug addiction in the campus of the Dhaka University (DU). My cousin talked to me over the telephone the other day about this growing menace the other day at the highest seat of learning in Bangladesh. He suggested that the government should pay immediate attention to the problem.
Drug addiction, a festering menace is not only injurious to an individual but also imperils the health of the entire social fabric with its fast cascading impact.
There is no denying that drug abuse and addiction have become a growing phenomenon in Bangladesh.
Considering drug abuse and addiction a big problem, many government and non-government organisations, including the media, have been working hard on this issue from a long time.
Then why does government need to take extra care of this issue, especially in the premises of the of Dhaka University while it is busy with anti-corruption drive and other reform programmes?
My cousin described how young students are getting involved faster than before in drug addiction as drug trafficking is increasing rapidly inside and outside the campus everyday.
If that is the case, the government needs to move ahead with a vigorous plan to combat drug abuse and its illegal trafficking. The government and law enforcing agencies should take immediate step to, at least, reduce illegal trafficking.
Speakers in a recent workshop titled "Drug reduction and control: Bangladesh perspective" in Dhaka who included, among others, MA Hai Hawlader, Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry of government of Bangladesh, emphasised the need for imposing all kinds of restrictions on drug trafficking by creating awareness among the general people about abuses of drug and carrying out effective operation by law enforcing agencies. The workshop was organised by the Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council.
There are approximately 30,000 students in the Dhaka University (DU). Most of them reside in 18 different halls and two hostels.
As a student of Dhaka University, my cousin believes that more than 5,000 students of Dhaka University are drug addicts. But actual picture may be more dangerous.
Of course, the fact that a good number of people in Bangladesh are drug addicts is a matter of serious national concern. According to unofficial estimates, there are 2.5 million drug addicts in the country. The ever growing menace of drug addiction is affecting not only the younger generation, but also the society as a whole.
It is no exaggeration to say that a large number of students of DU are getting addicted to drug abuse day by day as none is taking any effective action against illicit drug trafficking.
Different kinds of drugs are selling at various parts of the Dhaka city including Kamrangirchar, Begunbari slum, Bhanga Gate, Shahinbagh, Nakhalpara, Titipara slum, Sutrapur, Dholpur, Demra, Tejkunipara, Chankhar Pool, Tilpapara in Khilgaon, Modongoli in Sipahibagh, Mirpur Shah Ali Mazar, Agargaon, Adabar and Geneva Camp in Mohammadpur.
There are many reasons to get addicted to drugs, but the easy availability is the main cause for becoming drug addicts.
All types of drugs are becoming available in different places across the DU campus. Drug dealers have developed a strong network there. Some small stalls of different halls are selling drugs almost in broad day-light. At night, some tea and cigarette sellers carry drugs door to door in residential halls.
The guards and the security personnel are helpless because they are threatened to keep quiet. However, some of them are involved in the selling process thereof directly. This situation is deteriorating due to inaction of the administration.
In addition, the DU campus is surrounded with densely populated areas and small markets including Chankhar Pull, Shahbag Corner, Bakshibazar, Nilkhet and Newmarket South Gate, Kantaban, Hatirpul, Palashi and Suhrawardi Park.
Gau-Sul Azam market of Nilkhet corner, small tea stalls of Shahbag corner, cigarette shops and even small restaurants of Chankhar pull and Suhrawardi Park are some of the ideal places for drug trafficking.
'Ganja' (Marijuana), 'Puria' (Heroin), 'Da-ill' (phensedyl) and Pathedine injection are easily available at many spots within the campus and adjoining areas. The addiction usually starts with Marijuana and phensedyl and then all other kinds of drugs, including heroin, are taken. A single drug addict spends between Tk. 1,200 and Tk. 12,000 on drugs a month.
Extortion, snatching money from pedestrians or asking from parents by saying that they need more money to maintain their rising educational expenses are some of the ways that the drug-addicted students use to arrange money to buy drugs.
Students get easily involved in drugs when they become a part of the volatile political practices. Some freshmen normally start drugs by seeing seniors and other bad fellows and then cannot give up the same because of habit. Drug addiction is also reportedly growing among girl students.
Unemployment, family feud, parents' unruly behaviour, deception in love, degradation of moral values and lack of healthy entertainment are the main reasons behind the growing menace of drug addiction among the students.
Drug addiction is directly responsible for many cases of injuries and physical assaults and a good many of deaths among the people under age 25. Drugs have been proved to be responsible for loss of memory, damage to the brain, and causing harm to the bodies.
The authorities of the DU claiming that they are working hard to build up an outstanding record of academic achievements by its students, in order to earn for itself the reputation of being the 'Oxford of the East'. The DU has indeed been creating national leaders in various professions since long.
But if the same authorities are now found to be hesitant about taking action against illegal drug trafficking in the DU campus, the country will not get its desired future leaders as drug addiction is destroying the life of many students and shattering the dreams of their families and the country.
............................................
The writer is a freelancer based in New York and can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]
IT is painful to hear about a baneful condition of drug addiction in the campus of the Dhaka University (DU). My cousin talked to me over the telephone the other day about this growing menace the other day at the highest seat of learning in Bangladesh. He suggested that the government should pay immediate attention to the problem.
Drug addiction, a festering menace is not only injurious to an individual but also imperils the health of the entire social fabric with its fast cascading impact.
There is no denying that drug abuse and addiction have become a growing phenomenon in Bangladesh.
Considering drug abuse and addiction a big problem, many government and non-government organisations, including the media, have been working hard on this issue from a long time.
Then why does government need to take extra care of this issue, especially in the premises of the of Dhaka University while it is busy with anti-corruption drive and other reform programmes?
My cousin described how young students are getting involved faster than before in drug addiction as drug trafficking is increasing rapidly inside and outside the campus everyday.
If that is the case, the government needs to move ahead with a vigorous plan to combat drug abuse and its illegal trafficking. The government and law enforcing agencies should take immediate step to, at least, reduce illegal trafficking.
Speakers in a recent workshop titled "Drug reduction and control: Bangladesh perspective" in Dhaka who included, among others, MA Hai Hawlader, Secretary of the Social Welfare Ministry of government of Bangladesh, emphasised the need for imposing all kinds of restrictions on drug trafficking by creating awareness among the general people about abuses of drug and carrying out effective operation by law enforcing agencies. The workshop was organised by the Bangladesh National Social Welfare Council.
There are approximately 30,000 students in the Dhaka University (DU). Most of them reside in 18 different halls and two hostels.
As a student of Dhaka University, my cousin believes that more than 5,000 students of Dhaka University are drug addicts. But actual picture may be more dangerous.
Of course, the fact that a good number of people in Bangladesh are drug addicts is a matter of serious national concern. According to unofficial estimates, there are 2.5 million drug addicts in the country. The ever growing menace of drug addiction is affecting not only the younger generation, but also the society as a whole.
It is no exaggeration to say that a large number of students of DU are getting addicted to drug abuse day by day as none is taking any effective action against illicit drug trafficking.
Different kinds of drugs are selling at various parts of the Dhaka city including Kamrangirchar, Begunbari slum, Bhanga Gate, Shahinbagh, Nakhalpara, Titipara slum, Sutrapur, Dholpur, Demra, Tejkunipara, Chankhar Pool, Tilpapara in Khilgaon, Modongoli in Sipahibagh, Mirpur Shah Ali Mazar, Agargaon, Adabar and Geneva Camp in Mohammadpur.
There are many reasons to get addicted to drugs, but the easy availability is the main cause for becoming drug addicts.
All types of drugs are becoming available in different places across the DU campus. Drug dealers have developed a strong network there. Some small stalls of different halls are selling drugs almost in broad day-light. At night, some tea and cigarette sellers carry drugs door to door in residential halls.
The guards and the security personnel are helpless because they are threatened to keep quiet. However, some of them are involved in the selling process thereof directly. This situation is deteriorating due to inaction of the administration.
In addition, the DU campus is surrounded with densely populated areas and small markets including Chankhar Pull, Shahbag Corner, Bakshibazar, Nilkhet and Newmarket South Gate, Kantaban, Hatirpul, Palashi and Suhrawardi Park.
Gau-Sul Azam market of Nilkhet corner, small tea stalls of Shahbag corner, cigarette shops and even small restaurants of Chankhar pull and Suhrawardi Park are some of the ideal places for drug trafficking.
'Ganja' (Marijuana), 'Puria' (Heroin), 'Da-ill' (phensedyl) and Pathedine injection are easily available at many spots within the campus and adjoining areas. The addiction usually starts with Marijuana and phensedyl and then all other kinds of drugs, including heroin, are taken. A single drug addict spends between Tk. 1,200 and Tk. 12,000 on drugs a month.
Extortion, snatching money from pedestrians or asking from parents by saying that they need more money to maintain their rising educational expenses are some of the ways that the drug-addicted students use to arrange money to buy drugs.
Students get easily involved in drugs when they become a part of the volatile political practices. Some freshmen normally start drugs by seeing seniors and other bad fellows and then cannot give up the same because of habit. Drug addiction is also reportedly growing among girl students.
Unemployment, family feud, parents' unruly behaviour, deception in love, degradation of moral values and lack of healthy entertainment are the main reasons behind the growing menace of drug addiction among the students.
Drug addiction is directly responsible for many cases of injuries and physical assaults and a good many of deaths among the people under age 25. Drugs have been proved to be responsible for loss of memory, damage to the brain, and causing harm to the bodies.
The authorities of the DU claiming that they are working hard to build up an outstanding record of academic achievements by its students, in order to earn for itself the reputation of being the 'Oxford of the East'. The DU has indeed been creating national leaders in various professions since long.
But if the same authorities are now found to be hesitant about taking action against illegal drug trafficking in the DU campus, the country will not get its desired future leaders as drug addiction is destroying the life of many students and shattering the dreams of their families and the country.
............................................
The writer is a freelancer based in New York and can be reached at e-mail: [email protected]