Milton was a University student. He was 21 years old and he was extremely a talented student. When he was in school he never stood second in his class. But unfortunately he is not a good student anymore. After he got admitted into the University, he began to take drugs by his friends influence. He could not come to classes regularly and began to fail in his courses. His education not only deteriorated but his behavior changed rapidly. He often used to quarrel with other friends and in several occasions he used to get involved in severe fighting. His attitude so drastically changed that he had to drop out from the University. Later on he became involved in student politics and was killed by his opponent goons.
Here is another story. A boy of a wealthy family became drug addict. He used to take money from his parents by telling them that these are his University fees. He used to spend that money on drugs. One day his parents realized that their son is rudely behaving with them when they refused to lend him more money. They finally realized that their son sold off the only personal computer which his father had bought for him. They took their son to the store where the computer was sold and finally they came to know that their son is a drug addict. Just imagine how the parents felt at that point in time that they work day and night, they put all the efforts in their works so that their sons or daughters could have a good healthy life. But instead the drugs play the role of the killer and destroy these parents hearts.
A report shows that in several schools and colleges, boys with age from 14—18, get involved in drugs. They are often drowse in the class. In one such incident a boy was sleeping inside the class when his teacher told him whether he was wake last night. He was unable to reply. But another boy told the teacher that the boy takes drugs. Upon hearing the truth, the teacher scolded the boy and sent him out of the class. That’s it! The teacher’s role was over.
The above mentioned stories are only a fraction of the incidents that are happening in our society everyday due to the availability of drugs which has increased all over the country at an alarming rate. Previously, in Dhaka, drugs used to be found in some selected spots but now-a-days these are now being found in residential houses. Due to availability of cell phones and e-mails, the drugs are smuggled not from place to place but from house to house. Even the law-enforcers are involved sometimes with the distribution of drugs. They help drug dealers to find suitable ways to distribute drugs. There are numerous night clubs in Dhaka and Chittagong and in all these night clubs, young people take drugs openly but yet police force do not show any steps in capturing them despite the fact that they know very well about the existence of drugs in those places. Many innocent young students are getting involved in drugs for which the rates of crimes are increasing day by day. Everyday, in several parts of the country, drug addicted people get caught. Sometimes they get caught red handed with drugs like phensidyl, marijuana, heroine, pathidrine, yaba and so much other things. It is ironic that these drugs used enter the boundaries of Bangladesh by smuggling through the borders of India but now these drugs are being produced here by some miscreants. These are people who, by the name of illegal business, are ruining the lives of the young people. The future of the young generation is crumbling down. They see no light at the end of the tunnel. Our politicians, the civil society, our so called some business people and finally our guardians are solely to be blamed for these happenings. Our guardians have horribly failed to develop religious beliefs among the young people for which they are inclined towards taking drugs.
The law enforcers have failed to perform their duty in efficient ways. Sometimes, even they also play roles in helping the drug dealers to get away with punishment. Against this, they take bribes. This way the drug dealers really do not care about the laws anymore and day after day their network only gets stronger and stronger. As long as we fail to capture the drug dealers then there is no point of arresting the drug addicted people. We must capture those who are responsible for distributing these illegal drugs.
It is a difficult job to perform because drug dealers have strong connections with their God fathers and these God fathers have got strong connections with renowned politicians of the country. This is why they never get caught. It is time for a change. It is time to start from the beginning.
When the city goes to sleep some of its anonymous characters come out to earn the money for the coming day to provide the basics for their family. I went out one night and met these people. They were very friendly and enthused seeing me with my camera. Here are some pictures that I took. The place is called Jasimuddin Road at Uttara Sector 1. It is just beside the highway and about a kilometer from the ZIA international Airport.
Picture 1: A man selling tea, cigarettes, buns, bananas, cakes etc.
Picture 2: Customers are available almost all throughout the night.
Picture 3: The tea flask.
Picture 4: The “Ada Chaa” – ginger tea.
Picture 5: He loves his ear rings.
Picture 6: The Guard “Mamas.”
Picture 7: A warrior of the dark.
The people of the dark are very light hearted. They seem to have their own world. They are afraid of all the glamour of the day, but they are not afraid of the dark!