Awareness to fight addiction
A survey by National Institute of Mental Health Hospital, NIMH, has reinforced a fear that the country has held for a long period Dhaka has the highest number of people hooked to some intoxicating substance. The percentage of addiction in Dhaka is 36.8 per cent followed by port city Chattogram with 24.9 per cent.
Of the people who are compelled to take some narcotic every day, more than 80 per cent are reportedly addicted to weed or Marijuana. This is possibly a surprise to many since the current anti-drug drive is not against marijuana but against yaba. However, the reality is that while yaba is imported illegally from Myanmar, weed is grown in the country as a natural plant and has always been the drug of choice for decades for its cheap price and a common perception of it as a harmless natural substance. In fact, weeds popularity is linked to the entrenched belief that its just a stronger form of smoking which provides relaxation to the nerves. While society has been permissive, weed has spread to all social layers, starting from general workers to educated people with respectable social standing.
The reality is that there is no full proof way to tackle addiction because there are too many substances, like alcohol, that is socially acceptable as long as a certain limit is not crossed. So, the line between social drinking and binge varies from situation to situation and therefore its difficult to label what is acceptable and what is not. Also, the suggestion that alcohol should be banned is also absurd because bars and clubs are essential part of a secular state where people from all faiths reside.
The best way to tackle addiction is to start a campaign early on at schools so students get an idea about the pitfalls of becoming addicted to narcotics. It stands to reason that when drugs are not available easily, addiction will go down and therefore, the current anti-drug drive has to nab top dealers and not just foot soldiers who peddle yaba, weed or any other substance to survive.
Its time that rehabilitation centres are brought under government vigilance. This will ensure that people with addiction problems get scientific treatment, incorporating counselling and medicines, and not just incarceration and forceful feeding of harmful medicines like Largactil. With modern day worries becoming too complex, counselling units have become essential at colleges and universities to help the young cope with angst and other mental torments.
