Harm Reduction Activities:

The drugs which are being abused in Bangladesh causing harm as follows:

• Methamphetamine (Yaba) is currently the most widely used drug in Bangladesh. As a result, the kidneys, liver and lungs are damaged. In the long term, sexual performance is lost. Increased blood pressure, fertility can be impaired.
• Liquids containing codeine – Phensedyl was once the main drug. The use of Phensedyl decreased somewhat after the arrival of Yaba. It causes loss of appetite. The body does not get enough nutrients. As a result, there is a risk of health damage. Phensedyl, like Yaba, also causes erectile dysfunction. Other vital organs are affected.
• Heroin consumption can cause liver problems, lung infections, severe constipation, kidney disease, heart and skin problems, hepatitis, infertility in women, miscarriage, etc. Opium can cause breathing difficulties, which can lead to unconsciousness and death in overdose. It causes dry mouth and nose, nausea and constipation.
• Heavy drinking can lead to liver cirrhosis and loss of performance. A large number of people around the world die prematurely due to excessive alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that over 200 different diseases can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
• Marijuana damages veins, resulting in poor circulation. Along with this, memory problems occur due to brain deformation. There is a risk of permanent damage. Men can develop testicular cancer. It causes the damage of nervous system and vision loss.
• As part of harm reduction, drug addicts are being treated by setting up treatment centers at government and private levels to bring them back to a healthy life. There are 4 government treatment centers for the treatment of drug addicts in the country, with a current bed capacity of 199 but it is totally inadequate compared to the total number of drug addicts.
• Free accommodation, food, medicine and treatment are provided to patients in government drug addiction treatment centers. Even all government drug addiction treatment centers have special counseling for patients as well as parents. In addition to these treatments, the awareness of patients and parents is very important.

The government has taken the following steps to reduce the harm:

• Formulation of guidelines for treatment of drug addicts.
• Government financial grants to private drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers.
• Establishment and Management of Private Level Drug Addiction Treatment Centers, Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Centers and Drug Addiction Counseling Centers Rules, 2021.
• An initiative has been taken by the government to establish 200-bed drug addiction treatment centers in every divisional city of the country. The work of preparing the DPP of the said project is in progress.
• Project titled "Expansion and Modernization of Dhaka Central Drug Addiction Center" has been taken up to modernize and expand the Central Drug Addiction Centre.
• Family Counseling services are being provided at the Central Drug Addiction Center every Wednesday from 11.00 am to 1 pm for drug addicts and their families. About 30-35 people receive family counseling services every week.
• Under the management of Colombo Plan International Center for Certification and Education of Addiction professionals (ICCE), 14 persons such as doctors, psychiatrists and counselors engaged in the treatment of drug addicts in Bangladesh have been trained on 9 curricula on Training of Trainers (TOT).
• Under the management of Colombo Plan International Center for Certification and Education of Addiction professionals (ICCE), 14 persons such as doctors, psychiatrists and counselors engaged in the treatment of drug addicts in Bangladesh have been trained on 9 curricula on Training of Trainers (TOT).

 

There are Narcotics control and publicity committees at national, district and upazila levels to coordinate, supervise, evaluate, advise and create anti-drug public awareness of all public/private anti-drug activities.

• National Narcotics control Advisory Committee under the chair of Hon'ble Home Minister; National Anti-Narcotics Committee' under the chair of Secretary of Security Services Division, Ministry of Home Affairs; District Narcotics Control and publicity Committee under the chair of the Deputy Commissioner and Upazila Narcotics Control and publicity Committee under the chair of the Upazila Nirbahi Officer.
• There is a Strategic Committee headed by the Principal Secretary of the Hon'ble Prime Minister; Enforcement Committee headed by the Secretary of the Security Services Division, Ministry of Home Affairs and a Committee on Anti-Drug Awareness and Social Movements headed by the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education division of Education Ministry.
• According to the decision of the enforcement committee, the core committee and task force of anti-trafficking of yaba have been formed in Cox's Bazar and Teknaf, including the Department of Narcotics Control and all law enforcement agencies.

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