Bagerhat's Youth at Risk from Teenage Gangs and Drug Abuse

Printed On: Sep 11, 2026 || Published On: Sep 11, 2026

Bagerhat's Youth at Risk from Teenage Gangs and Drug Abuse

Princh Mondal Olif, Bagerhat District Correspondent:

Bagerhat, a district known for its lush greenery, rivers, canals, forests and rich heritage, is facing growing concerns over several social problems. Among them, the spread of drugs and the increasing risk of teenagers becoming involved in criminal activities have emerged as issues of serious concern for parents, educators and community members.

Recent drug seizures by law enforcement agencies provide an indication of the scale of the problem. In July this year, the District Detective Branch of Police reportedly arrested four people in Fakirhat with 4,015 yaba tablets. According to police, one of those arrested had 26 previous cases against him.

Earlier, the Department of Narcotics Control conducted an operation in Karrari area of Bagerhat Sadar and detained a person with two kilograms of cannabis and 20 yaba tablets.

In another operation in July, Rapid Action Battalion arrested two people in Dashani area of Bagerhat municipality with 33 kilograms of cannabis.

Such operations demonstrate the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies to control the drug trade. At the same time, they raise an important question: how much of the drugs entering the district ultimately reaches young people, and whether criminal networks are using teenagers as couriers or new recruits.

Drugs and the growing risk of youth crime

Adolescence is one of the most important stages of a person's life. It is a period when young people are highly influenced by their surroundings, friends and social environment. Positive guidance can help them build a productive future, while negative influences can push them towards substance abuse and criminal activities.

Several factors may contribute to the development of teenage gangs, including lack of parental supervision, family conflict, peer pressure, unemployment, frustration, excessive or harmful use of social media, and the influence of local criminal networks.

A teenager may initially become involved in drugs through friends or informal gatherings. Over time, the need to obtain money to purchase drugs may lead to petty theft, extortion, fighting or other forms of crime. Criminal groups may also exploit teenagers because they can sometimes avoid suspicion due to their age.

For this reason, teenage gangs and drug abuse should not be viewed as two completely separate problems. The links between the two need to be identified and addressed.

Bagerhat still has an opportunity to prevent the crisis

The situation should not be viewed only from a perspective of concern. Law enforcement agencies, the administration and the Department of Narcotics Control are conducting regular anti-drug operations across the district.

However, arrests and raids alone cannot provide a permanent solution. Alongside controlling the supply of drugs, authorities must also work to reduce demand, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

Families, educational institutions, local government representatives, sports organisations, social groups, religious institutions and community leaders all have important roles to play in this effort.

Families can become the first line of defence

Teenagers rarely become involved in serious problems overnight. Changes in behaviour may appear beforehand.

Suddenly asking for excessive amounts of money, returning home late, losing interest in studies, developing suspicious friendships, becoming increasingly secretive, withdrawing from family members or displaying unusual anger can all be warning signs that deserve attention.

However, parental supervision should not be limited to punishment or strict control. Building an open and trusting relationship with children is equally important. Young people should feel safe enough to discuss their problems with their parents before turning to harmful influences.

Schools need stronger counselling and recreational activities

Educational institutions have a major role in preventing youth involvement in drugs and crime. Schools and colleges should provide regular counselling and create greater opportunities for sports, cultural activities, debate, scouting and other constructive programmes.

Students showing signs of risky behaviour should not simply be punished or excluded. Instead, educators and parents should try to understand the reasons behind their behaviour and provide appropriate counselling and support.

Focus on the main drug networks

Anti-drug operations should not focus solely on users or small-scale sellers. Identifying the main suppliers, financiers and distribution networks is essential to tackling the problem at its source.

Bagerhat's geographical location also deserves attention. The district has extensive road and waterways connections, along with coastal areas and the Sundarbans. Stronger coordination and information sharing among the relevant law enforcement agencies are therefore necessary to prevent the transportation and distribution of drugs.

Teenagers should be treated as potential, not simply as offenders

Strict enforcement of the law is necessary when teenagers become involved in criminal activities. However, treating every troubled teenager solely as a criminal may leave the underlying causes of the problem unresolved.

Drug-dependent teenagers need access to treatment, counselling and rehabilitation. At the same time, young people who are considered vulnerable should be provided with opportunities for sports, vocational training, skills development and productive employment.

The government also provides a national drug-related assistance hotline, 16113, through the Department of Narcotics Control.

Time for coordinated action

Neither teenage gangs nor drug abuse can be eliminated by a single institution. Police and other law enforcement agencies must continue their operations, while the administration must strengthen coordination. But lasting change will remain difficult unless families and communities also take responsibility for creating a healthy environment for young people.

Regular awareness programmes, sports competitions, counselling services, anti-drug campaigns and community-based monitoring should be strengthened across Bagerhat's upazilas and municipalities.

The teenager we see today as being at risk could become tomorrow's teacher, engineer, journalist, entrepreneur or responsible citizen. Helping that young person return from the path of crime is therefore not merely about protecting one family—it is about protecting the future of Bagerhat.

Building a drug-free Bagerhat and preventing the growth of teenage gangs will require more than law enforcement operations. It will require a collective social effort involving families, educational institutions, government agencies, law enforcement authorities and ordinary citizens.