​Contraceptive Pills Sold as Yaba, Posing Severe Health Risks ​Yaba Tablets.

Md. Sohel Rana, Rajshahi Correspondent ​Yaba is the name of a terrifying addiction. The illicit drug first surfaced in Bangladesh in 2002, and its use has been on the rise ever since. Manufactured in Myanmar, this drug enters Bangladesh through smuggling routes. Its prevalence has become so widespread that law enforcement agencies are forced to conduct continuous operations to curb its spread. ​Law enforcement agencies in Rajshahi are also conducting regular raids to combat Yaba. As a result of these operations, the supply of genuine Yaba has declined. This scarcity has given rise to a novel form of fraud in the illegal drug market. An dishonest group is coloring ordinary one-taka tablets with red or pink markers or felt-tip pens and selling them as Yaba. Each tablet is being sold for 250 to 300 BDT. ​An investigation revealed that these fake Yaba tablets are being sold using clever tactics in various locations, including the ID Baganpara rail line area, Baro Rasta, Budhpara, Court Dhalan, Guripara, and New Market in the city. To replicate the appearance of Yaba, the syndicate primarily uses the oral contraceptive pill 'Maya Bori' and the constipation medication 'Duralax.' Young people, lured by the prospect of cheaper or available drugs during a supply crunch, are the primary victims of this fraud. Many individuals consuming these counterfeit drugs have developed serious health complications. ​Speaking on the condition of anonymity, several drug users stated that frequent raids have prompted many dealers to stop selling Yaba. Amid this supply shortage, they are constantly being cheated by drug dealers, who are handing them contraceptive pills and Duralax instead. After consuming these, users report experiencing frequent bowel movements. ​Warning that the consumption of such medicines is extremely hazardous to health, Dr. Md. Mehedi Hasan Bhuiyan of Rajshahi Medical College (RMC) Hospital said that taking these medications without a prescription and without necessity can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in the body. Additionally, there is a risk of long-term complications due to depleted potassium levels. ​He added that if a man regularly consumes such contraceptive medications, he faces risks of hormonal imbalance, gynecomastia (breast tissue enlargement), diabetes, stroke, and impotence. ​According to crime analysts, the syndicates have adopted this deceptive tactic because raids created a shortage of genuine drugs. This form of crime plays a significant role in triggering newer types of criminal activity, pushing social degradation to the lowest levels. Consequently, youth abandon productive thinking and lean toward earning money quickly through dishonest means. ​Regarding the matter, Gaziur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner and spokesperson for the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, told the media that anti-narcotics drives are ongoing against all forms of illicit drugs, not just Yaba. Metropolitan police have already dismantled several drug dens and arrested numerous individuals from those spots. ​However, when asked about the sale of 'Maya Bori' and 'Duralax' disguised as Yaba, the police official stated that he was unaware of the issue but assured that a prompt investigation would be conducted.