Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu urges collective resistance against drugs, distributes saplings among volunteers in Lalmonirhat. Photo : BSS

LALMONIRHAT, Aug 1,2026 (BSS) - Disaster Management Minister Asadul Habib Dulu today emphasized raising mass awareness and social resistance to protect the country from the harmful effect of drugs, saying that all sorts of drugs were smuggled into the country during the tenures of the previous government.

“The major part of the youngsters has been affected by drug abuse as Bangladesh was main destination of illegal influx of drugs from the bordering areas during the previous regimes led by Awami League”, he said.

The minister made this remark while addressing as the chief guest at saplings distribution among the members of 25 volunteer organizations at district council hallroom here this noon.

“All should to work jointly to combat drugs. A drugs free society could be build through collective efforts made by voluntary organization, social and political leaders and common people along with government”, said the minister.

The voluntary workers would have to play leading role in preventing all the social offences like drug abuses, gambling, casino, child marriage and dowry, he added.

Addressing the youngsters, Asadul Habib Dulu said: “WE want to build a new Bangladesh for you and you are the instruments of the new initiatives. So, you have to say ‘no’ to the drugs. Social resistance must be raised against the drugs and then a drugs-free Bangladesh could be possible to build.” 

Bangladesh faces a growing drug addiction crisis, with an estimated 8.2 million users. As the country does not produce narcotics, most are smuggled in from abroad. 

A wide range of narcotics, from yaba to heroin, are being smuggled into Bangladesh through at least 105 border points across 18 districts, with Dhaka as the main destination for illegal drugs.

Phensedyl, crystal meth, and cannabis are also among the drugs brought in through three major corridors: the western and northern borders with India, and the southeastern border with Myanmar, according to the Annual Drug Report Bangladesh 2025 by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).

Bangladesh shares a 4,156-km border with India and a 271-km border with Myanmar.

The entry points in the eastern and western corridor fall within Satkhira, Jashore, Chuadanga, Meherpur, Rajshahi, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Dinajpur, Sylhet, Brahmanbaria, Cumilla and Feni.

The northern border corridor includes points in Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Sherpur, Mymensingh and Netrakona, while the southeastern corridor, particularly the area along the Myanmar border, remains the main route for yaba and crystal meth.

Several points in Teknaf, Ukhiya, Shahparir Dwip, Tumbru, Ghumdhum, Kutupalong and Saint Martin’s Island have been identified as active or vulnerable routes.

Different voluntary organizations leaders also spoke in the function.

Deputy Commissioner Rashedul Huque Prodhan, senior district BNP leaders, representatives from different social and voluntary organizations, among others, attended the function.