Darkness under the light

It is surprising to think that the bustling trade in narcotics at Bastuhara Colony and adjacent Barisal slum in Patiya Chittagong is situated right next to the Office of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). Yaba, Phensedyl, heroin and other drugs are available to buyers and the trade is controlled by an underground drug baron who apparently has sources to keep him informed about any impending raid. The claims by DNC to have recovered a thousand bottles of Phensedyl in a month from a spot which is frequented by anywhere up to 500 customers is somewhat ridiculous.

The plying of drug trade in slums brings with it its share of violence over this very lucrative, albeit illegal trade. That none of the kingpins ever get caught during the raids obviously points to something not being done right. With so much cash involved, it is natural that some of it is being used to buy information about when and how the DNC plans to mount an operation.

Drugs pose a clear and present danger to the populace, both young and adult users. The open sale of banned substances in these areas suggests that these underground elements have some "protection" from somewhere. Unless the DNC goes seriously after drug peddlers, the fight against drugs will remain a slogan and lives will continue to be destroyed because the easy availability of these very harmful substance.