Dhaka's sprawling slums have long been a symbol of hardship, but a worsening crisis is now intensifying the struggles of their residents— the alarming rise of drug addiction.
A field visit to various slum areas reveals a grim reality where substance abuse is tearing apart families and futures.
In Koral slum, Ripa recounts her father’s tragic downfall. Once a hardworking man, he now spends his days intoxicated, leaving Ripa and her mother to toil as domestic workers to sustain the family.
Their story is not unique as it echoes throughout the slums, where addiction is claiming lives and livelihoods.
Atiya Khatun, another resident, fights a daily battle to survive. “My husband is no longer around. My son used to work in a shop, but addiction took hold of him, and now he refuses to work. I used to clean two houses; now, I clean six just to make ends meet. If I don’t give him money for drugs, he turns violent.”
Sixteen-year-old Sifat, who works in a shop and dreams of going back to school, explains the gravity of the situation: “Many of my friends worked here, but they’ve all been lost to addiction. They use yaba, various pills, cannabis, and other substances. They buy drugs from bars and Raja Bazaar. Their parents don’t even know. They just take money from them and spend it on drugs.”
Poverty and Exploitation
Slum residents pay around Tk3,500 to Tk4,000 for a single cramped room, leaving them with little to cover other expenses. Asma Khatun (not her real name) highlights the economic desperation that drives many to extreme measures. “There is barely any work available. Employers offer Tk4,000-5,000 for an entire day’s labour, but rent alone consumes most of that. Many women are forced to beg or engage in unethical activities just to survive,” she said.
She went on to say, “Addiction is making everything worse. Those who already struggled financially now face an even bleaker future.”
Education: A Flicker of Hope
Despite the hardships, some slum families prioritise education. Nasima, a mother, proudly shares, “My son is studying in a madrasah, and my sister’s two sons are in college and university.”
Russell Sarwar, Inspector of Banani police station, acknowledges the challenge: “Hundreds of thousands of people live in the two parts of Koral slum. We conduct daily raids and arrest an average of 5-6 individuals each day. Many young people here are addicted. Growing up in such an environment makes it hard for them to develop positive habits. However, a few manage to escape through education, and that is encouraging.”
In Rupnagar, Mirpur, the story repeats itself. Fourteen-year-old Shahana was once a student, but addiction shattered her family’s stability. “My father used to work, but now he stays intoxicated. I had to drop out and start working with my mother in homes to survive.”
One anonymous boy shared a personal battle: “I, too, gave in to peer pressure and tried drugs. My parents were furious and forced me back into school, but most of my friends are still addicted.”
Homelessness and Hopelessness
The Malibagh Rail Gate area is home to many families who have lived on the streets for years. Zahurul Haque and his wife reside in a makeshift shelter of plastic sheets. “We barely manage two meals a day. On top of that, we have to pay Tk5-10 every time we use public toilets. It’s an unbearable burden,” he laments.
The family, like many others, dreams of free public facilities that could ease their suffering.
Expert Insight: Breaking the Cycle
Touhidul Haque, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, underscores the structural issues behind addiction: “Family plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s future. But in slums, poverty dictates life from birth. Most parents cannot afford proper education, leaving their children vulnerable to crime and substance abuse. A few manage to break free, but for many, addiction becomes a lifelong struggle.”
The rising addiction crisis among Dhaka’s slum youth is not just a personal tragedy—it is a societal emergency. As addiction fuels financial ruin and social decay, experts stress the need for comprehensive interventions, including education, job opportunities, and rehabilitation programmes. Without urgent action, the cycle of addiction and poverty will continue to trap generations in despair.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has over 5,000 slums housing approximately four million people. One of the largest among them is Korail, which spans about 100 acres and is home to more than 50,000 residents.
The issue of slum dwelling is not unique to Bangladesh; as of 2022, 24.8% of the world's urban population lived in slums. In Sub-Saharan Africa, this figure was even higher at 53.6%, the highest percentage of any major region. In contrast, Australia and New Zealand reported no urban slum populations that year.
Globally, slum populations continue to rise. The UN estimates that 1.1 billion people currently live in slums or slum-like conditions in cities, with an additional two billion expected to do so over the next 30 years. This growing urban challenge underscores the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions and inclusive urban planning to accommodate expanding city populations.
