Respondents of the “Nationwide Study on Relapse and Other Factors among the Drug Users in Bangladesh” mentioned that the top reasons behind their relapse into drug taking behavior after receiving treatment were due to family unrest (29.5%), peer pressure (27.4%) and frustration (24.8%). Director of Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), Mr Iqbal Masud presented the report on 06 may 2019. The study was conducted by collecting data from the patients who relapsed into pre-treatment substance using behavior after receiving treatment for it for at least once.
Mr Masud informed that 62.7% substance users had started using substance before the age of 18 years; 70% used their parents’ money to buy drugs; 89.4% were cigarette smokers; 70.6% started using drugs out of their curiosity. 52.1% patients who relapsed after taking treatment were arrested while 43%, 41.9%, and 15.1% respondents were arrested for once, for two-five times and for more than five times respectively.
The report mentions that 82% relapsed patients swallowed, 26.2% inhaled the substances. 98.9% patients received residential treatment for SUD previously, while 65.8% received detoxification and rehabilitation services for 31-90 days. 42.4% received counseling services, and 42% were under follow up after completing the treatment.
The report was unveiled at DAM auditorium, Dhanmondi, Dhaka on 06 May 2019, Monday. Director General of Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) Md Jamal Uddin Ahmed was present as the Chief Guest; while the founding President of Manosh and eminent social worker Professor Dr Arup Ratan Chowdhury was present as Special Guest on the occasion. The event was presided over by the President, Dhaka Ahsania Mission Kazi Rafiqul Alam. Moreover, Senior Lecturer of Public Health Department of North South University Dr. Hayat un Nabi and Associate Professor of National Mental Health Institute and Hospital Dr. Helal Uddin Ahmed were present in the program.
Dhaka Ahsania Mission conducted a descriptive type of cross-sectional study where a total of 138 drug treatment centers were randomly selected from Department of Narcotics Control enlisted 171 treatment centers from all over the country. 911 respondents who had relapsed at least once after completing previous treatment and were under treatment at the moment of data collection took part in this activity. Information was collected through in-depth interview.