Unveiling the failure: a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s war on drugs
| Date | 03 October 2024 |
| Pages | 166-179 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-03-2024-0013 |
| Published date | 03 October 2024 |
| Author | Taha Husain |
Unveiling the failure: a comprehensive
analysis of Bangladesh’s war on drugs
Taha Husain
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to evaluate public perceptions of illegaldrug availability in Bangladesh amid the
ongoing war on drugs while comparingthe efficacy of crackdowns with traditional law enforcement strategies.
Design/methodology/approach –Using a quantitative approach, the research analyzes data
gathered from 400 participants, including law enforcement officials, students, politicians, community
leaders and journalists.
Findings –The findings reveal that illegal drugs continue to be widely accessible in Bangladesh, with
50.15% of respondents acknowledging this despite the government’s intensified efforts against drug
dealers since 2015. Perceptions of availability are notably higher among those identifying as ‘‘other’’
(66.67%), younger individuals aged 18–28 (55.26%), participants with lower educational levels (76.67% for
those with less than SSC education), unmarried respondents (58.86%) and students (60.55%). When
assessing enforcement methods, a substantial majority (65.6%) prefer regular law enforcement over violent
crackdowns. The survey indicates that all respondents identifying as ‘‘other,’’ along with 73.23% of females,
65.6% of males, 81.82% of participants aged 58–68 and individuals from Khulna (92.65%), Rangpur
(96.92%) and Dhaka (51.43%), overwhelmingly favor regular law enforcement compared to crackdowns.
Practical implications –The study emphasizes the urgentneed to address the shortcomings of violent
anti-drug measures andadvocates for a more holistic approach that considers the complex interplayof
social,economic and health factors in combatingdrug abuse in Bangladesh.
Originality/value –This studyoffers a comprehensive analysisof the relationship between demographic
factors and perceptions of drug availability and the effectiveness of violent crackdowns vs regular law
enforcement,revealing new insights into this complex socioculturalissue.
Keywords Policy implication, Crime management, Socioeconomic inequality, Illegal drug trade,
Ferocious crackdown, Justice
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
The issue of illegal drug use in Bangladesh has emer ged as a pressing concern, profoundly
impacting individuals, families and the broader societal f ramework. Drug abuse permeates
various aspects of both public and private life, infiltrating homes, workplaces, educ ational
institutions and public spaces such as streets, parks, slums and markets. According to the
state-run Drugs Control Agency, approximately seven million individuals in Bangladesh
engage in illegal drug use, with young men aged 1530 making up around 85 % of
consumers (Uttom and Rozario, 2019;Safi and Rahman, 2018). While adult males dominate
the statistics, recent studies reveal an alarming increase in drug consump tion among women
(Bashar and Vineles, 2019;Islam and Hossain, 2017). The consequences of drug addiction
are far-reaching, extending beyond health issues to disrupt family dynam ics, escalate social
isolation, impose economic burdens and contribute to criminal activ ity (Moonajilin et al.,2021).
The illicit drug market in Bangladesh is sustained by a complex interplay of geographical,
socioeconomic and cultural factors, positioning the country as a significant hub within the
regional drug trafficking network (Husain, 2024). Drugs primarily enter Bangladesh from
Taha Husain is based at the
Department of Gender and
Development Studies,
Begum Rokeya University,
Rangpur, Bangladesh.
Received 11 March 2024
Revised 14 April 2024
14 September 2024
Accepted 14 September 2024
PAGE 166 jJOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICALRESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE jVOL. 10 NO. 3/4 2024, pp. 166-179, ©EmeraldPublishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841 DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-03-2024-0013
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