M. A. Jabbar :
Every year on June 26 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed as per declaration of the United Nations General Assembly that resolved in 1987. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) select a theme of the day and Health is the ongoing world drug campaign of the day. On the day, UNODC takes elaborate programme to involve every individuals, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and member countries by organizing awareness programme in support to drug prevention and treatment efforts or making in-kind contribution to the campaign and related events. Member countries adopt master plan, which serves as the blueprint for theme for preventing and reducing alcohol and substance abuse and its associated social and economic consequences on those countries.
UN Secretary General viewed drug trafficking as a social and criminal problem that has transformed in recent years into a major threat to the health and security of people and regions. He further says drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers. Nevertheless, the supply side is only half of the equation. Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production, or trafficking. Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution. Families, schools, civil society, and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics. We can succeed if we reinforce our commitment to the basic principles of health and human rights, shared responsibility, a balanced approach to reducing supply and demand and universal access to prevention, treatment, and support. This will foster communities free of drug-related crime and violence, individuals free of drugs dependence who can contribute to our common future and a safer world for all.
Data shows that around 210 million people or 4.8 percent of the population aged 15-64, took illicit substances at least once in 2010 and in 2007 and 2008 some 16 to 17 million people used cocaine worldwide and cannabis users comprised the largest number of illicit drug users in 2010 (129-190 million people). In 2008, global heroin seizures reached a record level of 73.7 metric tons.
Drug dependency is increasing due to various factors that include sense of competition for success in life. Stress, frustration, dissatisfaction, and unhealthy competitions and expectations are contributory factors for drug dependency. Parents with smoking habit and tobacco use endanger their children to tend to the habit, which at times play as gateway to other drugs for the children. It is said that it is the first cigarette that takes the first smoker to the door of substance abuse. Social scientists believe that unhealthy environment in the family, quarrel between father and mother creates sense of hopelessness and frustration among the children that takes them to substance abuse. Drug use shown in magazines, print and electronic media and other public display can attract children to drug. Bangladesh is surrounded by many drug-producing countries namely Myanmar, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
Drug dependency is not the problem of the addicts alone, but it is also the problem of the family and society. As drug is associated with burden of risk that includes injury, premature non-natural deaths, foetal alcohol syndrome and the resultant involvement of burden against medical cost and economic losses, it is the moral obligation of all individuals, family, society, NGOs, policy-makers, and in fact everybody to work with government efforts to address the problem. Here support from family and community is extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate, and accept those addicted to substances. The youth can play good role to deal with life challenges to substance abuse. Low-income group, less educated, unemployment, homeless people, and adverse family environment are more vulnerable to illegal drugs. According to news-report nearly 4.6 million people in the country use illegal drugs. Bangladesh is most vulnerable for drug abuse and illicit trafficking due geographical location. Young as well as children also experiencing alcohol, phensidyle, heroin, ganja, and other forms of available drugs is a concern of the society.
Bangladesh as democratic and peace-loving country has always joined hand with international community/bodies for upholding human rights and values, health and wellbeing of the people. As a member state, Government of Bangladesh is pro-active to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking and is committed to materialize the UN policies and strategies in this respect. With this end in view, the Narcotics Control Act was passed for the control of narcotics, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug addicts.
The department undertakes many programme for health and welfare of the people, which include education and publicity measures for creating necessary public awareness about the evil effects of narcotics.Bangladesh inherited the partnership in the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs, 1961. It also became a signatory to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and the UN convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in 1988. It has signed and ratified the SAARC Convention on Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1990. Its parliament ratified all the UN Conventions to support, advance, and cooperate with international efforts to combat and control the drug menace. International day against drug Abuse and its illicit Trafficking is celebrated on the 26 June each year through a variety of programmes. Bangladesh entered into a bilateral agreement on technical assistance with the USA for drug abuse prevention and control and received various equipment for drug abuse prevention and control. It also receives facilities for domestic and overseas training, fellowships, and study tours from the DEA, INM, USIA of USA, JICA of Japan and from the Governments of UK and France. Training facilities were also provided from DAP of the Colombo Plan Bureau, the SAARC, the UNESCO, the ILO and the UNODC. On the other, Bangladesh hosted a good number of SAARC Workshop, seminar and symposium during the last few years.
Subject of the day drug abuse and illicit trafficking is not a problem of a particular country. Therefore, regional and international cooperation is essential. Along with government efforts, health personnel, public representatives, civil society, social workers, NGOs, religious leaders, schoolteachers, and individuals may work to prevent and raise awareness about the threat posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Will and determination power of an addict is important. We may help them in their quit attempt. Myanmar-Cox’s Bazar border is reportedly used as the main transit route for drug trafficking. From Cox’s Bazar drugs are trafficked to Dhaka and from here to different destinations in the country. Drug traders also engage children and women in this job. Adequate steps may be taken to stop this. In some cases, parents or other guardians leave no stone unturned to refrain their addicted-ward from taking drugs. Arrangement may be made for extending cooperation to the guardians who are trying to rid them of the problem. Congenial family environment be ensured from the family so that children do not fall pray to substance abuse. To avoid catastrophe extensive motivation and prevention should be ensured.
Articles with anti-drug and other educative materials may be included in the school textbooks. Young generation should be encouraged not to mix with evil company. Arrangement may be available for employment opportunity for them as drug addiction begins out of unemployment and frustration. Morality should be taught to them. We have no other alternative than an environment free from drug abuse and illicit trafficking for a safer world. Let us work together for an environment free-from drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
(M.A.Jabbar writes on health and environment issues and is executive secretary of ADHUNIK, national anti-tobacco organization of Bangladesh.)
