The drug is the most common and burning issue now a day in Bangladesh. There are various types of causes of drug addiction. Thats curiosity about drugs, lousy companionship, lack of family bondage, Insufficient recreational opportunities, unemployment situation, broken of relationships, etc. (Hasan et al., 2017). There are also some reasons, why drug addiction is spread all over the country. Bangladesh, India and Nepal border (golden triangle) is well known for its drug smuggling activities (Khatun et al., 2013). Young generation quickly gets drugs in this corridor thats one of the main reasons for drug abuse of young age. 

One of the rights is the Myanmar border, where drugs come in Bangladesh and spread all of the countries (Hasan et al., 2017). Few people of both countries are related in these harmful activities, which belong on the border side. Various types of drugs in this way also enter in the Dhaka city, and young people are the main victimized in this issue (Rasker JJ et al., 2014). Young people are more curious about any subject. Intentionally or unintentionally, they relate in these adverse activities (Shahzad, 2013). The syndicate of drug use such young generation to spread their drugs among more young personnels. In Dhaka city, both wealth family and lower or middle-class familys young age is the victim by drug addiction. 

The drug not only harms a persons life but also destroy a familys life cycle. One person consumes it but not only he or her victimized as well as his or her family too (Hossain et al., 2006). It is a chronic disease affecting the brain, and just about everyone is different. Drugs affect different people in several ways (Shahzad, 2013). While some individuals can use drugs without developing an addiction, others may become dependent after just a single exposure. In past years drug problem was not more acute comparing nowadays. Legal authority always on the action in the drug abuse and smuggling issues (Daily Star, 2009). Drug abuse in Dhaka city is a significant problem. Drug abuse among the young people in Dhaka south city corporation is a matter of concern. Drug addiction damage personal health, their family, and their life (Sumon, 2009; Miah et al., 2024). 

The broad objectives of the study are “Drug abuse among the young People in old Dhaka," and the specific objectives of the study are given below. The objectives of the research are to find out the –

• To find out the nature and causes of drug abuse.
• To address the new trend of drug abuse.
• To figure out the relation between drug abuse and delinquency
• To explore the effects of drug abuse among young people.

In the sociology and criminology studies, tries to establish the relationship between drug abuse and delinquency activities. Different types of works done by the youth. Bangladesh is a developing country. Mahbuba Naznin (2010) work on “Drug addiction among undergraduate students of private universities in Bangladesh”. There are different causes for drug addiction thats are a failure in love, family problem, influenced by friends, trying something new. Respon-dents of this Study addicted to charas, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ganja, etc. youth are concern about drugs. But they thought that a small amount of drugs is not harmful as a result they try and become a chain drug addicted person. Teenagers are feeling depressed quickly of any matter and removing it they take drugs. In this age, teenagers are more curious from this curiosity they become addicted .breaking of love relationship and family problem directly or indirectly influenced a teenager to drug addiction. Male respondents in this study take treatment higher than female respondents.

Md. Islam N, Raskaer JJ et al. (2014) researched “Alcoholic Beverages in Bangladesh-How much we know." This study found alcoholic beverages made in Bangladesh and different types of alcohol. There are Raw cholai, Fine Brandy of Keru & Co, spirit, mixture cholai, Dochuani, Tari, Chubichi, Pochani, etc. People of different tribal in Bangladesh are allowed to produce some alcoholic beverages only for their community. But not for other people in out of their circle. In the law of Bangladesh several rules for the prohibition of drug produced but several areas of Bangladesh still now provide this illegal alcohol. 

Hossain et al. (2006) work on “Critical analysis of the impact of drug addiction in the urban life of Bangladesh.” Drug addiction is an excellent problem for Bangladesh. Not only Bangladesh drug addiction is a social problem all over the world. It is a global problem. Bangladesh is severely affected by it. In the villages, towns, cities of BD also changed. Drug addicts are involved in social offenses: stealing, hijacking, pick-pocket, etc. This studies aim is to identify the nature and causes of drug addicts of the young generation in Dhaka south city corporation. This studies aim is to find out the effects of drug abuse Young ages are mostly addicted. They engaged several types of delinquency. They used several brands of drugs alcohol, cigarette, dandi, pethidine, ganja, yaba (yaba addiction in BD, March 31, 2009 daily star) and some other drugs. They work in several places. They face inequality with sexual abuse, substance abuse, and cruelty delinquency they occur is also dangerous. Such type of violence carried out for economic gains even curiosity on something. 

Most of the youth are out of their family and relatives, someone also run-off their homes. I conduct my Study in Dhaka south city corporation. Most of the respondent came to this city in several districts for income .but it is sorrow that they engaged in several delinquency activities. They take a drug, and as a result, their future will be at risk. They take drugs mostly incitement by others. They are Peer groups, senior street dwellers, and others. Their cost of drugs is also an important issue. Some respondent says that what they income in daily they cost it on drugs. Drug abuse is a significant threat to the youth. “Homeless in Dhaka, violence, sexual harassment and drug abuse”, study work by Uddin et al., 2009). 

Drug abuse affected youth generation. Most of the youth and non-adults affect by mental and psychological health, hallucinations, blood-borne disease. They face an economic crisis, but drug use affects their intents and hobbies. They also risk of HIV/AIDS. “Drug use and the vulnerability of young people to HIV/AIDS: A need for a Drug resistance education program in Bangladesh” work by summon Md, (2009). Govt and public concern towards drug addiction are necessary to solve this social problem (Khatun, Saeed, 2013).  Sazzad MN, Abdal SJ et al. (2013), Work on “Drug addiction in Bangladesh and its effects”. On their study, they focus on youth generations drug addiction; they found several causes that are behind on the drug addiction. There are social and peer groups influence, frustration, depression, curiosity, subcultural, and psychological environment. They also found some reason thats are behind on the problem. Thats are family disorganization, parent-child conflict, spouse strife, lack of emotional support, rejection of love, unemployment, and easy availability of drugs. There are different types of effects. That is broken of family bondage, psychological effects, economic effects, etc. In this study, they focus on some drugs that are are available in Bangladesh and drug addiction percentage among male and female. In the long term effects of drugs study focus that drug in the long term disrupts the central nervous system of a body. Liver function of a body gradually damages by drug addiction. Md Abul Hasan and Md. Mshahid, (2017) work on "Drug addiction in the urban life of Bangladesh: A sociological study for exploring the causes." 

In this study focus on whether drug addicts are influenced by frustration, parental drug addiction, and peer groups. In the urban area of Bangladesh, this study developed. Several reasons for drug addiction also discussed there are socio-economic factors, golden triangle, unemployment, family conflict, the indifference of parents to the children, high ambition, and frustration. In the urban area, parental drinking is seeing as positive, and it is a reason for adolescent drinking. "A critical analysis of the impact of drug addiction in the urban life of Bangladesh" is a work by Md. Fauque Hossain and Mahmuda Mamun (2006). 

This study focuses on nature and causes of drug addiction, kind, and causes of crime committed by drug addicts. Reason for drug addiction is peer groups influence, frustration, unemployment, failure of love, family conflict, etc. There are different types of causes for delinquent or criminal activities that are collecting money, mitigating the excitement of drug, group feelings, separation of family life, etc. There are several illegal activities done by the addicted person. Thats are stealing, street robbery, extortion of money, pick-pocketing, visiting brothels, cruelty to women, etc. This study revealed that most drug-addicted person engaged in criminal activities because of collecting money. 

This research is conducted through the interview method; it is a part of qualitative research. The interview method is a method where a researcher develops a checklist and asks a question to the respondents with his/ her interview schedule. This study data collects through research tools. This studies research tools were interview schedule. An interview schedule is a predetermined set of structured questions designed to guide observers, interviewers, researchers, or investigators in systematically collecting data on a specific topic. Through these tools efficiently, respondents realize and answered, that helps the research works. I used a qualitative method in this study because; drug abuse is a complex issue. People are not quickly eager to answer on the drug-related matters.  It is tough to get an answer from respondents by a quantitative method. On the quantitative approach, the researcher develops a questionnaire and hand over the questions paper on the respondents. Respondents realize the questions and answer. Such a process is not accurate in drug-related research. I think the qualitative approach is most appropriate. Because the researcher quickly gets a response by asking questions. The researcher has scope to discuss any critical issues, that is more helpful. So I think the qualitative method is most appropriate in this research, and I used this method.

Sample size

The sample size is essential for any research. The sample is the representative portion of the whole population. Sample size can be determined by depending on various types of characteristics. The researcher has an idea on respondents precisely who are the respondents will be on the study. There are different types of sampling, thats snowball sampling, cluster sampling, purposive sampling. In this study, I used purposive sampling. Purposive sampling has freedom of researcher; the researcher can easily set the respondents criteria and select. In purposive sampling, the researcher has freedom of choice and work scope. Purposive sampling is non-probability sampling. That is based on the objectives of the study and the characteristics of the population. It is also known as judgmental sampling. So the researcher used his/her judgment to select an appropriate sample. The sample size of my study is 100 respondents. 

Area of the Study

The study area of any research is an important part. I collect my data in sadarghat, laxmibazar, sutrapur, lalbagh, and kotwali thana. All the location is in the area of DSCC.  The drug is any substance, when it is absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. Recreational drugs affect the central nervous. In old Dhaka drug abuse among the young generation is a matter of concern. These generations use several drugs that damage their future. Through my research, I want to find nature and causes, a new trend of drug abuse among the young generation. The relation between drug abuse and delinquency, and finally, I want to explore the effects of drug abuse among the young age.  

Data collection and analysis

In this study, data collected methodologically. First-hand data is used. Interview tools are used, and the overall research followed qualitative methods. In data collection, always maintain the ethical way. Interview data were transformed in the numerical form then statistical techniques are used. Data were tabulated and computerized by computer software, thats SPSS, MS Word and MS Excel. 

Data presentation and ethical consideration

Data presentation is one of the significant parts of any research. After collecting and analyzing data. Data presented through statistical techniques. All the data analyzed through the descriptive way. All the data analyzed and interpreted regarding the research objectives. Data analyzed and presented as report writing. Ethical issues always maintain in this study. In social science research, the accuracy of data is essential. Respondents confidentiality always kept in this study.

Theoretical framework

One of the critical approaches to the understanding of criminality is called labeling theory. Labeling theories interpret deviance not as a set of characteristics of individuals or groups, but as a process of deviants and not deviants.

Labeling theory

Labeling theory is a concept of Criminology. It aims to explain deviant behavior from the social context rather than looking at the individual. It is part of Internationalism.  In the criminology states that once young people have been labeled in any issues, they are more likely to offend. The idea is that once labeled as a deviant person; youth have a chance to carry their role and more likely to associate with others, who have been similarly labeled. Labeling theorists review that, male children from low-income families are more likely to be labeled as deviant. And thats may partially explain why there are more working-class young male offenders. Most of the people know that youth are obliging to aberrant behavior; it is also a label for the young. They occur much deviant behavior, sometimes even a victim. In weak areas, the juvenile delinquency rate is high. Norms, values, social control is low. 

Howard Becker is one of the sociologists most closely associated with labeling theory. He shows that deviant identities are produced through labeling rather than through atypical motivations or behavior. According to Becker, abnormal behavior is behavior that people so label. Labeling is not only affecting how others see an individual, but also influences the individual, but also individual sense and self. There are two types of deviant behavior. Primary deviance- in most cases, these acts remain marginal to the person self-identity- a process occurs by which the deviant acts is normalized. Secondary deviance- Lemert uses the term secondary deviance to describe cases where individ-uals to accept the label and see themselves as aberrant. The name can become central to a persons identity and lead to a continuation or intensification of the aberrant behavior. My studies objective is also similar to this theory. So this theory is relevant to this study.

The rationale for why this theory is used in this study

This study focuses on four objectives. The relation between drug abuse and delinquency is the objectives of them. Labeling theory discusses how some people are labeled in the context of crime, and all people labeled them as criminal or deviant activities. Youth people are engaged in several deviance activities. Sometimes they violate the rules and regulations. In this study found that a significant portion of young people is addicted to different types of drugs. Violation of law and deviant activities mostly violate by the young. As a result, they are labeled. When different ages people do any deviant behavior and criminal activities, simply others oblige the youth people as deviant. This labeling also promotes young people in abnormal activities. One objective in this study is the effects of the drug on young people. Several results fall on young people with drug addiction. This theory is appropriate in this study because labeling theory is associated with criminology. This study tries to find out the delinquency relationship between young people and different types of effects. Drug addiction, delinquency, etc. Effects of drugs all are associated with crimino-logy, and labeling theory can discuss all these aspects, thats why labeling theory is used in this study.

Nature and causes of Drug abuse

There are various types of drug people used. What type of drug they used is the kind of drug addiction? There are different types of narcotics as well as different reason or causes of drug addiction. Logic or causality differs from condition and society to society. In Bangladesh, some ideas are discussed below. This study conducted in Dhaka south city corporation (DSCC). Drug experience means which drug was tested. Most of the respondent used cigarette, in the second position and, in the third position, alcohol. Other drugs also used by the respondent, but it was not high as a cigarette, dandi, and alcohol.

Nature of drugs

Table 1: Name of drugs with the percentage (Source: Field survey, 2019).

Nature of drug abuse in Dhaka south city corporation is discussed in this part. What type of drug they experienced in their life cycle. There are various types of drugs they used. Nearly half of the respondents have experienced cigarette (44%). Only a few of the respondents said that they use dandi (10%). Only two-fifth of the respondents (25%) use yaba and 10% use Heroine, ganja (4%), phensydl (7%), pethidine (8%) and nearly few of the respondents (12%) use alcohol in Dhaka city. Where the slum area and density area is high is also the higher possibility for drug addiction. In Dhaka south city corporation young generation is affected by the drugs. There are various types of drug that young age used.

Causes of drug addiction

Drug addiction is one of the severe problems. Which has deep roots in society. Not only in Bangladesh but also any other countries have faced this drug-related problem. Most of the countries scenario of drug addiction is same. The young age is the fast victimized in this issue? Drug addiction pushes our young generation to destruction. There are different types of causes of drug addiction. That is discussed in the below:

Frustration, Surrounding environment and easy accessibility, Lack of family bondage, Lack of proper entertainment, broken families, golden triangle root, families attachment towards drugs. Etc are several causes for drug addiction (Hasan et al., 2017).

Fig. 1: Causes of drug addiction (Source: Field survey, 2019).

Frustration

There are various types of causes for drug addiction, but frustration may be the most profound cause among all of the objects. There are different reasons for the disappointment thats unemployment causes, poverty, failure in relationships, etc. are behind on defeat (Hasan et al., 2017). Nearly most of the respondents answer on frustration issue. In the Bangladesh context, when the young generation fails to get a job after academic education, they feel pressure; quickly, they fail to maintain their life in society. To get remove from frustration, they use the drug occasionally but frequently. Gradually they are addicted to drugs that hampered their growth. Poverty is one of the reasons for the defeat. When people fail to maintain their basic needs, they frustrated and moved on addiction. But drugs do not remove their frustration, whether they destroy their savings and life also. 

Young generations frustration also has a common issue thats a failure in relationships commonly love relationships. Most of the respondents also answer in this issue. When they fail to maintain their relationships, they frustrated and quickly addicted to drugs. Nearly one-third of the respondents (34%) said that they use drugs because of their frustrations. They thought that only a drug could remove their frustration. So failure is one of the reasons for drug addiction.       

Surrounding environment and easy accessibility

Surrounding environment and easy availability of drugs is one of the reasons for drug addiction. Strategically Bangladesh situated in an essential area of south Asia. But it is a matter of concern that drug smuggler uses this vital route for drug smuggling. Some international smugglers use our land for their drug busyness. As a result, drugs can be easily found in our country (Uddin, 2009). Easy accessibility has made it easy for the young generation to get drugs and to be addicted. The young age gets drugs from friends, relatives, and closes one. Nearly all of the respondents said their answer in favor of the easy accessibility of drugs. Young generations are more curious about something new. They motivated the drug from their curiosity also. Drug smuggling route is behind on easy accessibility on drugs.  Nearly half of the respondents (45%) in this study said that the surrounding environment and the easy availability of drugs are the causes of being addicted.

Lack of family bondage

 Number of broken families is also increasing day by day in our country. The children of broken families do not have the companionships or lack of fellowships from their parents. As deprived of parental guidance, they feel depressed and alone in their life with stress (Hossain et al., 2006). Social values are developing by families. When social benefits disrupt, then the violence and fear arise in society. Parental love and affection is an essential element for upbringing children. Without love and friendship, childrens psychological health disrupt that hinders the Childs development  a complete human being. Lack of family affection arises aggression among the childrens (Hasan et al., 2017). When children or young generation become aggression, they addicted to harmful drugs. They take drugs to forget their grief conditions by using drugs. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents (17%) mentioned on lack of family bondage for their drug addiction.

Lack of proper entertainment and familys attachment towards drugs

Lack of adequate entertainment also promotes drug addiction (Hossain et al., 2006). The lower and middle-class family does not have the scope of amusements. Such a familys young members have the possibility of the drug. In Bangladesh, middle-class families are more victims by the drugs. Only a few of the respondents (4%) said that lack of entertainment and families attachments towards drugs is the cause for drug addiction. Higher class families are familiar with drugs. Their lifestyle also with drugs a little bit or high. As a result of their children also have a growing interest in narcotics? Their late-night parties were also familiar with higher drugs consumption.                 

New trends of drug abuse

In recent years drug addiction has significantly risen in south Asian countries like Bangladesh. Every corner of the country is affected by drug abuse. United nation and world health organization give alarmed about the drug issue. Different health care institutions mentioned that drugs that mean drug-related patient victimize 10 percent of the patient in the hospital. Among the young and teenagers are victimized about drugs. According to WHO most drug users of Bangladesh are youth generation, their age is ranging from 18 to 30 years. A study conducted International center for Diarrhoea Disease Research (ICDDR, B) and journal of Health, Population and Nutrition (JHPN). On the reviews, they show that in Dhaka city, 79.4 percent of the users are male, and 20.6 percent are female. The JHPN also told that in the whole country, 64.8 percent are unmarried, 56.1 percent are students and unemployed (daily Star, 2009). Department of Narcotics Control9 (DNC) mentioned that, in recent years, yaba has gained popularity and also turned as a smart drug. Cough syrup phensedyl gained popularity because of low price and easy availability.

Drugs use pattern among youth also changes through the decades to decades. Department of Narcotics control seized NPS in 2018, which known as new psychoactive substances that are new in Bangladesh. This drug is also known as khat in Bangladesh. This drug is well known in Africa. In February 2019 Department of Narcotics also seized crystal meth from jighatala in the capital. This drugs also known as ice. In the outer world, it is known as crystal methamphetamine or MDMA (Daily Star, 2019). Decades to decades, drug use pattern also changes. In previous decades which drugs were most popular and widespread in our country is not now in these decades. New drugs introduced in our country. Globalization has a role in this drugs changing trend and added new ones. In previous decades where marijuana and phensedyl are widely used among the young generation but now in a few years that pattern changed (Daily Star, 2004). Now yaba is widely used among the young, which drugs are unknown among the youth in a few years ago now used.  In Bangladesh, heroin, opium, pethidine, cocaine, sleeping pill, cough syrup, ganja, chorosh, bhang, cough syrup, phensedyl, and lastly Yaba drug uses, among the young generation (Daily Star, 2009). 

Bangladeshi few smugglers are engaged in illegal activities to drug spread among the young generation. In Dhaka south city corporation young generations drug use pattern also change. The new drug also introduced among the youth. In Dhaka city, both boys and girls are addicted to drugs. Most of them are addicted to their friends. In Dhaka south city corporation there is lack of proper space for adventure activities, entertainment and various outdoor types of games. As a result, young age and teenagers mostly pass their time with gossiping. In the time of gossiping, they also engage in drugs and become addicted.  In the party, mostly these youth are using drugs or alcohol. This alcohol use is known as fashion to them, but this is media or western influenced. Most young people who are engaged in drugs are unemployment. Unemployment is a curse for a state, but when this youth are also addicted burden for state and society. So in Bangladesh, a new drug is yaba and crystal methamphetamine.

The relation between drug abuse and delinquency

This study conducted in Dhaka south city corporation and tries to find out the relationship between drug abuse and misconduct among the young generation. Drug addictions have several types of effects. One of the effects of drug addiction is delinquency activities. Several negligent events occurred by the drug abused person.

Types of delinquency

Delinquent behavior and drug addiction also related to each other. The young generation does not do the same misconduct. There are various types of delinquent behavior. In that study, the respondent mentioned that they are engaged in some negligent act. Some common delinquent activities are

• Steal
• Fighting
• Hijacking
• Eve teasing 
• others

It is clear that nearly half of the respondent occasionally or frequently involved in delinquency activities. 

Table 2: Name of drugs with the percentage (Source: Field survey, 2019).

• 
  The pattern of occurring delinquency
  The model of happening misconduct is an important issue. Together and separately, these two types of delinquent habit mostly found. In this study, most of the delinquency pattern were together. Theyre also a singly occurring pattern. Youth are occurring in delinquency activities in various forms. Thats are-
  • Group,
  • Together and 
  • Separately or personally

Fig. 2: Pattern of occurring delinquency (Source: Field survey, 2019).

Most of the time, several delinquency activities occurred by the young generation by group activities. There are some reasons for occurring delinquency thats are-

Harmed others by Occurring delinquency

When any crime or criminal activities occur by a person or a group of person, they also damage or harmed others property. There even an incident of physical damage. In this study respondent also injured other people. Nearly most of the respondent answered that physically, they harmed others by delinquency activities. Only a few respondents mentioned that they are not engaged in any delinquency activities.

Income through delinquency

It is really that most of the crime and delinquency activities are related to income. This study was conducted in old Dhaka. On this study, respondents income was below 50, and more than 500 takas. There also some income ranges.

Sexually related delinquency

Sexually similar misconduct is the final part of delinquency. Sexually related delinquency was also found in this study. I asked a relevant question on the respondent. Below table is also developed in this context. Some youth has given a definite answer. Most of the young said that they were not engaged in sexually related delinquency.

Table 3: Sexually related delinquency with the percentage (Source: Field survey, 2019).

Effects of Drug abuse among young People

Drug abuse is the continuation of substance use in the long term. Short term or long term drug indeed have adverse effects on drug user. This study conducted in Dhaka south city corporation. All of the respondents said that the drug has a negative impact. This study also finds out the effects of drug abuse among the young generation. There is some negative impact of drug abuse that is discussed below: 

Table 4: Effects of Drug abuse among young People with the percentage (Source: Field survey, 2019).

Effects on Health

The drug harms human health. Drug damage the brains nerve system. Some effects of drugs include health problem that is long-lasting and permanent. Drug weekend immune system and increasing the risk of infection and illness (Hossain et al., 2006). Heart condition also damaged heart condition becomes abnormal. Who is a drug user are more risks on the heart attack. The drug destroys the blood vessel; injected drugs occurs it.  

Drug abuse increased the strain on the liver. In the long term way, liver damage and liver failure occurred. The drug destroys the hygienic lung process. In a long term drug abused person have weight loss. Body temperature becomes high of men and breast development, which lastly lead the other health problems. All of the respondents in this study mentioned that they had experienced adverse health effects by drugs.

Effects on mental and psychological health

It is visible effects of drugs that people observed early. Drug abuse hurts a persons mental and psychological health. The self-control of a person destroy, mentally they are damaged. Psychologically they are wrong positions. Hallucination problem is a common problem in this section. Anxiety and depression arise among the abuser (Shazad, 2013). Hallucination problem increases the probability of suicide. Nearly half of the respondents agreed on the hallucination problem.

Viral infection

A viral infection is a disease that can be caused by different kinds of viruses. There are various types of viral infections. Most of the respondent has a viral infection. Some viral infection that experienced by the respondents is favor and tuberculosis. HIV and Hepatitis are long term effects of drug abuse (Sumon, 2009). The body temperature of a drug abused person also high. Most of the respondents replied that the drug has a role in raise drug abuse.

Effects on property and savings

Drug abuse has an impact on a persons savings of money. A drug abused person not only destroy his amount of money but also ruin his or her property (Hossain et al., 2006). A significant number of respondents in this study agreed that they had paid a considerable amount of money in these illegal activities. As a result, the drug not only destroys a persons but also destroys his familys future.

Effects on human behavior

The drug not only destroys a persons property or viral infections but also impact on human behavior. Drug abused person behavior gradually changed. Substance use leads the multiple behavioral problems. Drugs have both short term and long term effects on human behavior. Results are aggressive behavior, hallucination problem, self-judgment. There also impulsiveness, loss of self-control, and addicted (Rasker et al., 2014).  A drug use person has a high temper or aggressive behavior. Self-judgment decreased; as a result, domestic violence occurred by the drug abused person.

Legal Aspect of Drug Abuse in Old Dhaka

From a legal standpoint, drug abuse in Old Dhaka falls under the purview of Bangladeshs Narcotics Control Act, 2018, which criminalizes the production, possession, trafficking, and consumption of illegal drugs. The Act imposes strict penalties, including long-term imprisonment and financial fines, particularly for repeat offenders and those involved in organized drug networks. In the context of Dhaka South City Corporation, local law enforcement agencies, including the police and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), are responsible for implementing these legal provisions. However, the enforcement often faces significant challenges such as corruption, lack of resources, and limited community cooperation. Despite periodic crackdowns and awareness campaigns, the persistence of drug abuse among youth in Old Dhaka indicates a gap between law and practice. This calls for not only stronger legal enforcement but also coordinated efforts involving community engagement, youth rehabilitation programs, and preventive education to address the root causes of addiction.

Drug addiction is a significant problem in Bangladesh. It is not only a problem in our country but also the rest of the world (Khatun, 2013). Youth are the heart of a whole population in a country, but, when a significant portion of young people is engaged in drugs, it is a matter of concern. In this study, it is clear that young people motivated to narcotics for many reasons. There are frustration, availability of drugs, lack of family bondage, broken of relationships, etc. we already know that Bangladesh is situated in "Golden Triangle," that is highlighted internationally for drug smuggling root. On the other hand, Bangladesh –Myanmar border also a matter of concern for drug smuggling root. As a result, Bangladesh is the highest concern area for a drug-related problem (Hasan, 2017). 

Bangladesh government takes several steps to reduce this problem (Naznin, 2010). Both government and mass people should take combined steps to greater success. Media should be more active on awareness for mass people. Intergovernmental activities are essential to reduce drug smuggling and business. In our country, few politician people also engaged in illegal trade. So government must be strict so that any parties member not ahead on unlawful activities. There are many countries where strict rules and regulations for drug-related events. In Bangladesh, the laws and rules are not rigid. As a result of people also engaged such activities. 

Department of narcotics should be more conscious and awareness on the drug-related problem (Shahzad, 2013; Sultana et al., 2024).). At last, it is said that drug harms drug abused person in the long term. The drug not only destroys a person but also destroys a family and over ally a society and the broadly whole country. For remedies of drug addiction, there is some recommendation that would be more effective, thats are-       

• Social awareness should be raised for the young generation.
• Traditional social control agents like family school, community, religions, institution, etc.  
• Have to be strengthening. So they may play a significant role in establishing social norms, laws, and rules.  Narcotics department should be taken some activities. 
• Consciousness must be raised among urban youth about the negative side of the drugs.
• Create an educational scope for the young who are helpless. 
• Government and NGO role must be raised.

A.J.: Conceptualization, Data Collection, Formal Analysis, Writing – Original Draft. K.M.A.S.: Supervision, Methodology, Writing – Review & Editing. Both authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

I would like to express my profound gratitude to Md. Saidur Rashid Sumon, Associate Professor, Department of sociology, Jagannath University, Dhaka for his Support from questionnaire making to data collection of my research work. I would also like to thank Mr. Monishankar Sarkar, Assistant professor, Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies (IDMVS) Dhaka University, Dhaka for his help, Stimulating suggestions and encouragement helped me in all time of this Research work. I also sincerely thanks for the time Spent proofreading and correcting my many mistakes. I would also like to acknowledge the respondent of my research area for their support and cooperation.   

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.