Reining in drug barons needed

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) arrested an alleged top listed drug trader with 1,760 pieces of contraband yaba tablets from Madarganj Bazar in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district on Saturday evening. There is no denying the fact that drug abuse is a social malady. Starting  from people living in posh residential areas down to the residents of slums take narcotic drugs according to their financial abilities. Pictorial news stories of drug peddling appear in newspapers very often. Although drug addiction gives temporary energy or stimulation it ultimately causes a lot of physical problems. It reduces physical and mental strength and wreaks havoc with peaceful family life.  

Drug addiction is responsible for spike in criminal activities. It even may lead to murders. What is alarming is that students beginning from college level up to university are seeking solace in narcotic drugs. This is a very ominous sign. Complete eradication of drug menace may not be possible but keeping it within limit may not be impossibility. Who knows what kind of blessings the godfathers are enjoying from those having political and other clouts?

What is the benefit of only arresting and punishing peddlers and consumers of narcotic drugs if the godfathers and big traders of drugs are not caught and punished? That the drug barons enjoy immunity is clear from the menace spreading its tentacles in every nook and cranny in the country. If the powerful drug traders are arrested they soon come out and start the business with renewed enthusiasm in exchange for hefty bribes. This is very unfortunate.  

 The government should take stringent measures, including stoppage of the sources of the drugs, issuing directives to the law enforcers to remain steadfast to their duties against all odds. The porous borders through which drugs enter into the country should be checked strictly. Besides, dens of manufacturing and marketing drugs inside the country should be identified and busted. Massive public awareness should be generated about the disastrous consequences of drugs.

There should be proper arrangement for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Drug addicts should not be treated as criminals rather should be treated as the sick ones. More drug rehabilitation centres should be set up through government and private initiatives.

 

 

Reining in drug barons needed

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) arrested an alleged top listed drug trader with 1,760 pieces of contraband yaba tablets from Madarganj Bazar in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur district on Saturday evening. There is no denying the fact that drug abuse is a social malady. Starting from people living in posh residential areas down to the residents of slums take narcotic drugs according to their financial abilities. Pictorial news stories of drug peddling appear in newspapers very often. Although drug addiction gives temporary energy or stimulation it ultimately causes a lot of physical problems. It reduces physical and mental strength and wreaks havoc with peaceful family life. Drug addiction is responsible for spike in criminal activities. It even may lead to murders. What is alarming is that students beginning from college level up to university are seeking solace in narcotic drugs. This is a very ominous sign. Complete eradication of drug menace may not be possible but keeping it within limit may not be impossibility. Who knows what kind of blessings the godfathers are enjoying from those having political and other clouts? What is the benefit of only arresting and punishing peddlers and consumers of narcotic drugs if the godfathers and big traders of drugs are not caught and punished? That the drug barons enjoy immunity is clear from the menace spreading its tentacles in every nook and cranny in the country. If the powerful drug traders are arrested they soon come out and start the business with renewed enthusiasm in exchange for hefty bribes. This is very unfortunate. The government should take stringent measures, including stoppage of the sources of the drugs, issuing directives to the law enforcers to remain steadfast to their duties against all odds. The porous borders through which drugs enter into the country should be checked strictly. Besides, dens of manufacturing and marketing drugs inside the country should be identified and busted. Massive public awareness should be generated about the disastrous consequences of drugs. There should be proper arrangement for treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Drug addicts should not be treated as criminals rather should be treated as the sick ones. More drug rehabilitation centres should be set up through government and private initiatives.