S.A Shofie, Sylhet :
The divisional city of Sylhet has become a ‘safe haven’ for drug peddlers as the sale of deadly drugs continues unabated, causing grave concern to the city dwellers.
Contraband drugs like phensidyl, hemp, foreign and local liquors, heroin, different types of pain killer and sedatives, tablets and liquid adhesive known as ‘dandy’ are selling openly from early morning to late into the night in some city points, locals alleged. Due to rising number of drug addicts, all kinds of criminal activities, including killings, mugging, abduction and robbery, have alarmingly increased in the city. Rural areas are no exception. Nowadays nearly ten per cent of outpatients in Sylhet hospitals are drug addicts who are involved in taking heroin, hemp and phensidyl; doctors of SMAG Osmani Medical College Hospital observed.
Most of the drug users are generally youths and young men between 15-30 years of age and come from all strata of the society. But very often there are also youngsters below 15 years and men and women over 30 years of age involved in drug addiction.
Students are the worst affected ones in the context as drugs have caused fast decline in their studies and many have given up going to schools and colleges. Even university teachers are getting involved with the drugs menace.
Some drug users confirmed that the main points of drug peddling in the city are the Railway station area, Old Rail station, Kodomtoly area behind central bus station and Chadnighat.
A phensidyl vendor, wishing not to be named, said drug importers are bringing drugs in trains, buses and trucks in connivance with a section of demoralized police and GRP personnel, who receive a percentage of the drug money from the peddlers. Besides, the drug peddlers can easily manage bails from the court even if they get caught.
Chairperson of Nagorik Forum Sylhet, Masud Khan said, frustration over unemployment and failed love affairs are the main reasons leading young people to drug addiction.
Lawmen conduct drives against drug dealers as eyewash as the drug dealers arrested by them are often released in exchange for money, he claimed.
Sheikh Md Abdul Karim, a guardian said, main reason that led his son to addiction was availability of drugs. He said students are taking drugs in public as they are readily available.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Sylhet, Md Shahidul Islam has directed law enforcing agencies and Department of Drugs Control to intensify drives against drug trafficking. He has also stressed on quick disposal of cases that are still under trial.
Commissioner of Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP), Mizanur Rahman said, drives are being conducted by police in different parts of the city to nab the drug traders
