"I am a gully boy roaming around wearing torn cloth"—these are the lyrics of a song that evoke a response. "Gully Boy" Rana is among thousands of street children in the capital facing a similar struggle that resembles this song.
The lyrics and melody of this popular song about street children evoke pain. But it is not possible to describe their plight only in songs or with words.
According to the Prevention of Drug Abuse (MANAS), more than 2.5 million children in Bangladesh are trapped in the clutches of drug addiction. Among them, street children, who number around 3.4 million, become the primary targets of drug dealers.
The Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) has also estimated that a staggering 85% of street children in the country are victims of drug abuse.
Their easy accessibility to a readily available drug called “Dandy” has become a grave concern. Although not classified as a drug, Dendrite gums serve as an intoxicant and are commonly used in repairing shoes and electronic products.
With a shortage of drug treatment and rehabilitation centres in Dhaka, different non-governmental organizations have stepped up to assist, but the government must play a more significant role in addressing this social problem which has become monumental.
In an attempt to unravel the reasons behind their path, their motivations for addiction, and the impact of “Dandy” consumption on their bodies and minds, Dhaka Tribune has delved deep into the lives of these street children.
The trap: Hunger and addiction
Most of the street children, devoid of parental love and care, face an uphill battle. Their addresses are the streets, where they constantly grapple with the brutal realities of the city. They would go anywhere, whether it is footpaths, railway stations, bus terminals, parks, or pedestrian bridges, to scrounge for a handful of food or shelter.
Inside a dilapidated factory in Dhaka's Lalbagh area, a group of ragged children and teenagers gather. These children, aged between 10 and 16, have fallen prey to addiction, with “Dandy” becoming their vice. They consume “Dandy” mainly to satisfy their hunger and as a time-passing act. Over time, it has become an addiction they cannot escape from.
Through firsthand accounts, it was found that these children find solace in the temporary relief they get from the drug. “When I feel hungry, I buy glue nearby, fill it with polythene, and smell it. Then I feel happy and sleepy, and eventually fall asleep by the roadside,” one of them said.
Their stories paint a picture of hardship, loss and a constant search for nourishment.
In many intersections and public places around the city, including Gulistan, Malibagh, Tejgaon, Banglamator, Shyamoli, Nawabpur, bus terminals and rail stations, more street children can be seen intoxicated in similar manner. Some consume drugs individually, while others form groups.
Mubin (pseudonym), a 12-year-old who lost his father at a young age, shares a similar fate. Abandoned and neglected, he eventually took to the streets and addiction, joining the ranks of thousands of street children trapped in this vicious cycle.
Urgent need for rehabilitation, support
The BSAF highlights the fact that street children are deprived of fundamental rights, including education, health and nutrition. A survey further reveals that at least 200 children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 18 regularly consume drugs in Dhaka.
The availability of drugs, lack of parental care, and societal challenges contribute to their vulnerability.
Doctors, among whom are Dr Md Golam Rabbani and Dr Zebunnesa, emphasize the urgent need for long-term planning and significant initiatives to restore the lives of street children addicted to drugs.
Prof Dr Rabbani is a specialist in mental diseases, brain and drug addiction at the National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital. He explains: “Children and adolescents involved in drug use may display sudden anger, agitation, and physical symptoms like bedwetting and drooling. Factors like family separation, neglect, and a lack of parental care contribute to their drug abuse.”
He blames the availability and affordability of the drug for the worsening situation, adding: “Underprivileged children suffer physically and mentally due to a lack of awareness about the vendors.”
Pediatrician Dr Zebunnesa of Bangladesh Medical College Hospital warns that children are intoxicated by the sweet scent of this substance, leading to a state of fleeting euphoria for them.
“However, this smell destroys cells in the body, leading to abnormal brain function. The devastating consequences on their physical and mental well-being demand immediate attention,” she explains.
Dr Md Subhan Noor, a teacher at Jagannath University, thinks this problem cannot be solved overnight; it demands long-term planning.
“A significant initiative is necessary to rehabilitate street children addicted to drugs and help them lead a normal life,” he told Dhaka Tribune.