Ishraque links political patronage, law enforcers to drug spread

He said drugs destroy society and an entire nation. “Therefore, politicians involved in the drug trade have no right to engage in politics,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Drug Control: Challenges and the Way Forward’, organised by Debate for Democracy at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital on Friday, as the chief guest.

Speaking at the seminar, chaired by the organisation's Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran, Ishraque Hossain further said that politicians are entrusted with the responsibility of running the state on the basis of public trust. However, drugs are not like other ordinary crimes; they destroy an entire nation.

He said multiple syndicates operate at different stages, from bringing drugs across the border to their transportation and distribution. Referring to information about the involvement of some reputed transport companies, methamphetamine laboratories in upscale areas of Dhaka, and several pharmaceutical companies in the drug trade, the former state minister called for intelligence surveillance and strict legal action.

Citing examples from his own constituency, Dhaka-6, MP Ishraque said that the alarming spread of drugs in the Ghuntighar area of Gandaria had led to incidents of theft and daylight snatching. After receiving information that young people were using drugs at night by climbing over the walls of educational institutions, he personally took the initiative, along with law enforcement agencies and local leaders, to dismantle the drug dens.

Emphasising the need for practical measures rather than limiting efforts to meetings and seminars to reduce the spread and demand for drugs, Ishraque Hossain said that according to a national study published in January 2026, there are approximately 8.2 million drug users in the country.

He said that to protect the younger generation, it is essential to establish a social resistance movement involving public representatives, teachers and religious leaders, alongside law enforcement agencies, as well as ensure rehabilitation facilities for drug addicts.

The Dhaka-6 MP also announced plans to establish a non-profit social organisation in collaboration with Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran to spread awareness against drugs across the country.