Influentials of every party linked to illicit drug trade

The Department of Narcotics Control's (DNC) additional director general yesterday claimed that influential leaders of every political party were involved in the illicit drug business and that he had documentary evidence supporting this.

"As a result 70 percent of the country's people, especially youths, are taking illicit drugs. Strong commitment from all political parties against illicit drugs is a must to save the country from the use and associated dangers," added Md Amir Hossain.

Addressing a rally to raise awareness on drug abuse at Ekushey School's playground in Pachoi village of Chandpur's Hajiganj upazila, he said illicit drugs entering from India and Myanmar can not be contained only by police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion and the administration.

"To do so, all political parties and people would have to boycott consumers," he said.

DNC Deputy Director Manjurul Islam said earlier people used to consume heroin and Phensidyl but now around 30 lakh people take yaba daily and drug peddlers have targeted students of English medium schools and private universities.

DNC Director Nazmul Ahsan Majumder chaired the progamme where representatives from police, political leaders and officials of the local administration also spoke. Around 2,000 students, teachers and guardians were present.