Dhaka’s long-standing struggle with the Dandy drug.
Each year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) observes International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June. The day aims to iterate the harm in drug consumption and their illegal trade, as well as highlight the importance of international cooperation and strengthening action to combat drug abuse. Turning the attention to Bangladesh, a drug issue that still plagues our nation, specifically, our capital is the prevalence of dendrite or ‘dandy’ abuse among street children.
With approximately 85% of 3.4 million street children being victims of drug abuse according to Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF), the nation grapples with the difficult endeavour of bringing drug abuse, especially amongst children, to an end.
What Is Dhaka’s Dandy Problem?
The young street children of Dhaka have especially fallen prey to the dangers of Dandy. Aged between 10 and 16, often fleeing abuse and the unaffordable costs of daily necessities, these children settle for any kind of relief they can find, Dandy being the most favourable option.
Dendrite, commonly known as Dandy, is an adhesive glue used for mundane tasks like shoe repairs and electronics. Although not classified as a drug, Dandy contains the sweet-smelling hydrocarbon called toluene. When fumes of the glue are inhaled, the substance relieves hunger and induces a sense of euphoria, thus making it as intoxicating and effective as any other drug. It is just one of many means through which they look to escape the brutalities of living in poverty in Dhaka.
To further exacerbate the situation, Dandy is plentiful in supply and priced low, making it the substance of choice for deprived street children, more commonly known as ‘tokais’. What begins as a means to relieve hunger, spirals into a myriad of more severe and long-lasting problems, including drug addiction and involvement in crime.
How Is Dandy Affecting Dhaka’s Youth?
The disturbing effects of Dandy consumption on street children’s health and behaviour have been well observed and established. While the immediate effects of inhaling Dandy’s fumes include dizziness, euphoria, drowsiness, and blurred vision, its long-term implications are more severe.
Alongside the most severe effect of brain damage, Dandy has also been linked with poor respiratory health, beginning from inflammation of the nasal tract lining, and hallucinations amongst street children. It has been shown to dissolve the membrane of brain cells and is often the cause of delinquency, anxiety, and physical disabilities in street children. Furthermore, in the social aspect, Dandy addiction has been linked with criminal behaviour amongst children, with the more addicted ones often resorting to stealing and assault to retrieve money to buy more of the drug.
Numerous reports have also highlighted how drug-addicted children are a threat to their peers, as other children often have to bear the brunt of the violence induced by Dandy-addicted children. Local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and schools supporting these children have also reported on such antisocial behaviour caused by Dandy abuse, thus reinstating the harmful effects of the drug on this vulnerable group in the community
Why Is the Problem So Widespread?
Dandy’s lack of classification as a drug, alongside its affordability and availability, are what heighten the issue. National news outlets have previously reported that a small pot of Dendrite glue can be purchased for only a fraction of the cost of a meal and can be used numerous times over a span of several hours. Its long life and steady supply from local hardware stores and shoe repairers make it the most viable choice of intoxicant for struggling street children.
A collective ignorance regarding the issue only exacerbates the problem. Many recounted that despite witnessing the scene of young children inhaling Dandy fumes openly on street sides, no one came forward to stop it. From the government’s side, narcotics control departments remain severely understaffed and lack resources to be able to support a large number of these children. The lack of initiative and resources enables the crisis to continue, leaving little hope for the street children.
Numerous efforts have been made by NGOs to rehabilitate Dandy victims, but, the scale of the issue demands more attention and resources, including government intervention and policy changes.
How Can This Be Resolved?
Despite varied attempts to tackle the issue, Dhaka’s Dandy problem still persists.
The importance of increasing awareness and nurturing community engagement are also some of the recurring principles present in the numerous solutions presented. Organisations like UNICEF are also working to redirect Dhaka’s street children away from drugs and to rehabilitate them, with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs also sharing in the effort to protect these children.
More specific solutions have been implemented and suggested by NGOs and government bodies alike. One such solution highlighted in previous investigations done by national news outlets includes the reintegration of street children into society.
Dandy abuse is not only a health crisis, but also a socio-economic crisis that is leaving thousands of Dhaka’s street children in a vulnerable and helpless state. A problem that reiterates the systemic issues of poverty and overall neglect, Dandy poses a great threat to street children. Current efforts are clearly proving insufficient in resolving the matter, hence more attention needs to be paid to the issue.
The Dandy epidemic has been a long-standing concern, however, to the disappointment of many, it has been treated with inadequate urgency. There is certainly room for more support and efforts to be provided to lift these children out of addiction, so they no longer have to resort to the likes of Dandy to survive.