Dhaka, Jun 25 (V7N)- Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the government is considering the formation of a separate tribunal to ensure the speedy disposal of drug-related cases, citing a massive backlog of cases across the country.
Speaking at a donation cheque distribution ceremony for private drug addiction treatment centers at the Secretariat on Thursday (June 25), the minister revealed that around 80,000 drug-related cases are currently pending in Dhaka alone.
He said that the ongoing fight against narcotics cannot be effectively conducted under the existing legal framework and announced that an amendment to the Narcotics Control Act will be placed before parliament within the next few days.
"The fight against drugs cannot be won with the current Narcotics Control Act alone. A stronger legal framework is needed to tackle the growing challenge," he said.
The event was organized in observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. During the ceremony, a total of Tk 11 million (Tk 1.1 crore) in government grants was distributed among 73 private drug addiction treatment centers. The Home Minister personally handed over donation cheques to representatives of 15 institutions based in Dhaka.
Salahuddin Ahmed also highlighted the growing scale of drug abuse in the country, stating that approximately 8.2 million people in Bangladesh use drugs in one form or another.
He acknowledged that government treatment facilities remain insufficient compared to the number of people struggling with addiction and stressed the need to expand the capacity of the Department of Narcotics Control.
According to the minister, strengthening institutional capacity alongside legal reforms will be crucial in addressing the country's drug problem.
He expressed optimism that meaningful progress could be achieved through tougher laws, faster judicial processes, and improved rehabilitation services for those affected by drug addiction.
END/SMA/AJ
