BAHARAM KHAN and ARAFAT RAHAMAN

Deputy commissioners yesterday warned that the growing availability of drugs among youth, despite regular enforcement drives, poses a grave threat to the nation, urging the government to adopt tougher measures to curb the menace.

During a discussion with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the opening day of the DC Conference, at least 11 deputy commissioners spoke, with four identifying drug abuse as one of the most pressing crises facing the country at present, according to sources present at the time.

Jhenaidah DC Noman Hossain mentioned that 10km of the district’s border remains vulnerable, adding that inadequate controls are allowing drug shipments to enter the country and fuel addiction among youth.

He also flagged online gambling as a major concern, adding that drug users are frequently drawn into gambling as well, and called for central intervention.

The prime minister then assured the deputy commissioners that his government would take coordinated action to address this problem.

Meanwhile, other DCs raised district-specific issues.

Bogura DC Toufikur Rahman requested government support to expand the local machinery industry, which he believes could play a significant role in the region’s development.

Khulna DC Hure Jannat drew the PM’s attention to the sufferings in Dumuria upazila caused by chronic waterlogging and sought national-level measures to resolve the crisis.

Habiganj DC GM Sharfaraz requested the establishment of two 50-bed hospitals in tea garden areas, a proposal the PM assured would be addressed.

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