—Mostofa Kamal—

Despite not being a drug-producing country, Bangladesh today is under the overwhelming assault of narcotics due to its geographical reality. Amid political chaos, economic hardship, declining investment, and diplomatic unrest, the issue of drug use and its rampant spread has escalated alarmingly—largely unnoticed. In some localities, drug dealing has reached household levels. Tragic cases such as addicts killing parents or husbands killing wives occasionally surface, causing brief public outcries, only to fade from attention without any lasting remedy.

There is a disturbing lack of effective action. As a result, addiction has spread nationwide, hitting the youth hardest. A large segment of young people are now disoriented and on the brink of ruin due to substance abuse.

This menace not only imperils the future of children and adolescents, but also gradually destroys their physical and mental well-being. From remote villages to small towns, drugs like heroin, alcohol, and Phensedyl are now easily available. The prices are within reach, ensuring a steady flow of new users. Despite the existence of multiple regulatory bodies and a dedicated government department for narcotics control, the bitter truth is that these entities do little more than maintain a self-serving status quo. With heavy investments, lucrative posts, and shady appointments, they often mask another layer of the drug trade itself.

There are also some public and private drug rehabilitation centres across the country. However, the inner workings of many of these institutions are terrifying—essentially extensions of the drug economy. Many involved in these centres are themselves part of the trade. With minimal investment of time and money, the drug trade has become a lucrative shortcut to wealth. In some circles, it is wrongly passed off as a business, but in truth, it is neither ethical nor legitimate. Calling it a business dishonours the very concept of enterprise. Those involved are enemies of not only the state but also of humanity—morally bankrupt and inhuman. Anyone with a shred of decency despises drugs. Though the government maintains a policy of “zero tolerance” against drugs, dealers remain omnipresent. From cannabis and Phensedyl to heroin, morphine, yaba, and even performance-enhancing drugs like Viagra and Sanagra—there is no shortage of users. In local slang, they are known as khor (addicts).

To increase this khor population, drug dealers have built elaborate supply chains, spreading their influence even into rural areas. As a result, not just urban elites, but also poor village youth are falling prey to addiction. The customer base is growing, and with it, new drug markets are popping up. Drugs are readily accessible. The consequences are devastating—destroying both mind and body, shattering dreams, eroding family honour and social fabric. The nation, society, and future generations are all under threat.

There is no accurate data on how many are addicted. Estimating the figure is nearly impossible. But it only takes one addict to wreak havoc in a household or community. They not only destroy themselves but inflict immense suffering on those around them. The use of women and children in the drug trade is also increasing. Traffickers are exploiting them as a safe channel for import, delivery, and sales.

Though mechanisms exist to suppress and regulate drug use, no genuine eradication effort is visible. Laws are in place, but actions are missing. No new legislation is required—what’s needed is strong political will.

The mass uprising of students and citizens in 2024 has presented that opportunity. The military, having sided with the people during the movement, played a crucial role in reaching a peaceful resolution. Now deployed with magistracy powers, the army is maintaining law and order as part of joint forces across the country. Several of their operations have earned public praise—arresting suspects in murder cases, arms dealers, top criminals, smugglers, gang members, kidnappers, extortionists, drug dealers, and addicts. Illegal firearms, ammunition, explosives, and various drugs have been recovered. Routine army patrols are ensuring public safety in many regions.

What many may not know is how effectively the army is preventing unrest in industrial zones by facilitating dialogue and compromise between workers and factory owners over wages and bonuses. Their presence has disrupted mob violence and criminal gatherings in several cases.

What could happen if the military directed their operations specifically towards drug-related crimes? The answer is already visible in Naogaon. During a surprise raid, army personnel took swift action against some drug dealers. Since then, the rest have vanished. Previously deemed untouchable, these dealers are now on the run—no one knows where they have disappeared to. People from all walks of life in Naogaon are talking about this.

Surely, drug traffickers are not more powerful than the political and economic thugs of yesteryears. There’s no reason to think they cannot be stopped. Granting the army magistracy powers was a game-changing decision. It is not only restoring order, but also bringing comfort to the people through actions against criminal mobs. If the army takes similar steps against the drug menace, the situation could dramatically improve.

Public confidence in the police and the Department of Narcotics Control has long eroded. Under these circumstances, the military has the potential to strike a major blow to the drug empire. No declaration of war is required. Their current authority under magistracy powers is sufficient.

Additionally, the time has come to make drug tests mandatory for university, college, and school students, as well as for personnel in the police and narcotics departments. Educational institutions should adopt a regular monitoring system for students. The military could play a crucial role in supervising and implementing this process.

In several countries, military forces have played a vital role in drug control. For instance, in the Philippines under President Duterte, joint military-police actions against drugs were highly successful. In Mexico, army operations against drug cartels received international praise. In Iran, military assistance has helped form a strict security perimeter along its borders to curb drug smuggling.

Bangladesh now stands at a critical juncture. This is a golden opportunity to give the armed forces a clear directive and full support to tackle this national crisis. The words of Lalon—“What’s the use of repentance after time has passed?”—are strikingly relevant now. Because due to political and other realities, this window of opportunity may soon close. In the 21st century, the fight against drugs has sometimes resembled the war on terror. In fact, the phrase “War on Drugs” first gained popularity in the media after U.S. President Richard Nixon, at a press conference on 17 June 1971, declared drug abuse “public enemy number one.”

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—The writer is a journalist and columnist, and the Deputy Head of News at Banglavision