Thirteen-year-old Ishiat Shahriar Opratim departed from his residence on Friday afternoon carrying his mother’s iPhone. Tragically, by Saturday, his life came to a devastating end in the hillocks near Cumilla city. Following the grim discovery, the police apprehended three young men, aged between 15 and 20, at one of their residences where the missing phone was found.
While authorities have refrained from speculating on any potential drug-related influences on the suspects’ behavior, the concerning pattern of events involving youth, valuable possessions, and disproportionate violence is a familiar narrative to many informed individuals. This narrative underscores the harsh reality perpetuated by yaba, imparting a disturbing lesson on the value of life versus the allure of fast cash.
Recent national surveys, overseen by the Department of Narcotics Control, reveal alarming statistics indicating that approximately 82 lakh Bangladeshis, equating to almost one in every 20 individuals, are currently engaged in illicit drug use. Notably, around 23 lakh individuals are reported to be yaba consumers. In the previous year, law enforcement agencies seized a substantial quantity of 4.35 crore yaba and similar pills, marking one of the largest hauls on record.
Drawing from experiences collaborating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on trafficking matters in the Bay of Bengal, it is evident that the yaba trade operates as a lucrative underground economy. The escalating profits from this illicit trade continue to flow through clandestine channels, sustaining the market’s growth and reach.
The UNODC’s latest report from June 2026 documents a surge in methamphetamine seizures across East and Southeast Asia in 2025, surpassing previous records by 48 percent. Notably, this illicit trade is not merely a peripheral activity but an integral component funding various conflicts in Myanmar. Ethnic armed groups are often implicated in facilitating the transportation of narcotics through regions like Rakhine, bordering Bangladesh.
The repercussions of widespread yaba consumption are dire, resulting in chronic users experiencing debilitating symptoms such as paranoia, sleep disturbances, and stimulant-induced psychosis. The cycle of addiction fosters impulsive behavior, leading to violent actions driven by the need to sustain costly drug habits.
Sociologist Robert K. Merton’s strain theory posits that when legitimate avenues for success are obstructed, individuals may resort to illegal means to achieve their aspirations. Furthermore, the social learning theory elucidates how older members of criminal networks exploit social media platforms to indoctrinate and recruit younger cohorts, perpetuating a cycle of criminal behavior.
Moreover, the prevailing yaba culture fosters hyper-masculine norms, where power and dominance are equated with masculinity. Women are disproportionately affected as they are coerced into serving as drug couriers due to lower search probabilities, while also bearing the brunt of domestic turmoil resulting from family members’ drug-induced aggression.
The government’s pledge of zero tolerance towards drug offenses must translate into comprehensive action on four fronts. Firstly, targeting the financial backers and masterminds behind the drug trade, rather than merely apprehending low-level carriers, is crucial. Secondly, enhancing border control mechanisms and collaboration among security agencies to disrupt the drug supply chain is imperative.
Incorporating preventive measures within educational institutions, such as screening programs and confidential support services, can serve as effective deterrents against youth involvement in drug-related activities. Finally, a concerted effort by opposition parties, leveraging their grassroots networks to combat drug abuse, is essential to augment the state’s anti-drug initiatives.
Failure to address the drug epidemic as a national security concern risks perpetuating a cycle of violence and tragedy. The government must prioritize dismantling the yaba market, targeting its enablers, and promoting legitimate economic opportunities to dissuade vulnerable youth from engaging in drug-related crimes.Ignoring this pressing issue may alienate a generation to the detriment of societal harmony and stability.
