Drug trafficking on the rise

Selling drugs in the open, virtually under the nose of the law enforcers, is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh but the incidence instead of declining has reached an alarming stage. And this is happening due to degeneration of values, moral degradation and corruption in society, accessibility to drugs helping the abuse to proliferate in a large measure.
Months-long investigation carried out by The Daily Star shockingly revealed how the half a kilometre stretch from Tejgaon rail gate to Karwan Bazar Christian para has turned into a safe haven for drug peddling. It also disclosed how policemen have turned a blind eye to this trade den allegedly in exchange of bribe. If the trend continues then we fear that not only the number of addicts will rise but also any semblance of policing will be severely compromised.
Though some 50 drug peddlers had been handed down jail terms in March yet new converts are picking up this trade. And this is happening as the culprits managed to escape through the loopholes of the existing narcotic laws. In many instances, the laws are not being implemented. Sufferings and loss of lives caused due to drug trafficking have crossed the threshold of being just a social issue. It is very much a law and order and legal issue that can only be ignored at the peril of our future generations.
Basically though, the battle must be won at the societal level. What Karwan Bazar shows is the tip of the iceberg. We need to delve deeper into the issue and address it squarely sooner rather than later.