Staff Reporter:
The government has taken an initiative to establish seven drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation
centres, each with a capacity of 200 beds, in the country’s divisional cities to decentralise access to
treatment and support the recovery of drug addicts through medical and vocational services.
The centres will be set up in Batiaghata of Khulna, Rajshahi City Corporation, Barishal Sadar, South
Surma in Sylhet, Rangpur Sadar, Mymensingh Sadar, and Sitakunda in Chattogram, according to project
documents.
The Tk 1,413.15 crore project will be fully funded by the government and implemented between July
2025 and June 2028.
The Security Services Division of the Home Ministry will lead the project which will be jointly
implemented by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and the Public Works Department.
According to the project documents, the centres aim to provide modern medical services to drug addicts
near their localities, transform them into productive manpower through vocational training, and help them
return to a healthy life through counselling and religious motivation.
The project includes land acquisition, construction of residential and non-residential buildings,
procurement of medical equipment, seven ambulances, seven microbuses, installation of CCTV, fire
hydrant systems, afforestation, and off-grid solar electrification, officials said.
Currently, there are four government and 381 private drug addiction treatment centres in the country
which are insufficient compared to the growing number of addicts.
Drug addiction is emerging as a grave social crisis in Bangladesh, with considerable number of youths
falling prey to narcotics and synthetic drugs.
Experts and law enforcers have warned that without urgent intervention, the situation may spiral out of
control, affecting public health, education, productivity, and law and order.
According to available data, an estimated 7.5 million people in Bangladesh are addicted to drugs, with a
sharp rise among youths aged 15 to 35. Yaba, cannabis, heroin, phensedyl, and injectable drugs like
pethidine are the most commonly abused substances.
Families of addicts continue to suffer silently as many parents face emotional and financial hardships
while trying to treat their children or protect them from falling into criminal networks, experts noted.
Officials hope the establishment of modern treatment centres in each division will improve access to
recovery services, reduce the burden on families, and create skilled manpower through proper
rehabilitation.
