Online gambling is emerging as a dangerous addiction among the youth in Bangladesh with easy access to it via smartphones and the allure of quick earnings. This practice is attracting a diverse demographic, from students to working professionals since awareness about its detrimental impact remains minimal, comparable to the lack of understanding surrounding drug addiction. First-Hand Account Rahaat (name changed for privacy), a recent postgraduate from a public university, shared his experience of falling into the trap of online gambling. He said, “Popular platforms like 1xbet and Melbet were introduced to me through social media ads and friends. The promise of easy money was irresistible. Betting options are extensive, ranging from live sports such as football, cricket, and hockey to virtual games like Ludo and casino games. Sports enthusiasts are particularly vulnerable, believing their knowledge makes predictions easier.” He revealed that gambling addiction spans across social classes. “Daily earners, such as rickshaw- pullers and shopkeepers, often gamble their hard-earned money on computer-generated games. They are drawn by the illusion of doubling their income overnight but usually end up losing everything.” Rahaat said that these platforms lure users with initial wins to build trust. “Once someone is hooked, the losses start piling up. People invest more in desperation to recover what they’ve lost, creating a vicious cycle.” He mentioned the role of local agents who facilitate transactions and encourage new users to join. “These agents, who earn commissions, operate in communities across the country. They assure users of secure transactions and even provide guidance for setting up accounts,” he said. Women's Perspective Tania (not her real name), a private university graduate, recounted her own ordeal. Read: Online gambling: Ringleader, 3 gang members arrested in Dhaka, Gazipur “I was drawn to online gambling out of curiosity and financial necessity. Initially, I won small amounts, but greed took over, and I kept depositing more. Eventually, I lost everything, amounting to nearly Tk 50,000, much of which I borrowed. It felt like being trapped in quicksand,” she said. Tania has since warned her friends about the dangers of online gambling. “Breaking free is difficult, but raising awareness is crucial,” she added. Law Enforcement’s Standpoint Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Nazmul Islam, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “Online gambling is undoubtedly an addiction. While the public gambling prevention act exists, enforcement is weak. Stronger laws and decisive action are necessary to prevent further harm to the youth," he said. Deputy Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Division Shahjahan Hossain echoed similar concerns. “We lack specific legislation addressing cyber gambling. However, combating these issues is a priority under the government’s new initiatives," he said. Awareness Building Dr Tawohidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, emphasised the role of families in tackling this issue. “Parents often fail to monitor their children’s online activities. Just as they would intervene in cases of drug addiction, they must take note of their children’s financial habits and online behaviour,” he said. Dr Haque stressed the importance of a collective approach involving law enforcement, government agencies and families. “Awareness campaigns are vital to educate the public about the risks associated with online gambling," he said. Read more:BFIU suspends 21,725 MFS accounts over online gambling, hundi As online gambling continues to spread unchecked, it is imperative for stakeholders to act swiftly. Strengthened legislation, community awareness, and familial involvement are crucial to preventing the youth from succumbing to this modern addiction.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said that well-off individuals as well as journalists and police are also involved in drug trade, and they too face justice without exception. The minister made the remark while speaking at a roundtable meeting in Dhaka’s CIRDAP auditorium. “In prison, you will find police, Rab personnel along with businessmen in narcotic cases. Law is not different for policemen,” he said. Also read: “Govt, law enforcement alone can’t eradicate drugs, need help from all” Regarding dope test, the home minister said police are going under dope tests and if results are positive, they are being suspended. “We have taken a strict position in this regard,” he said. He said dope test during initial selection for jobs will be introduced. “It is said that doctors are the ones who are mostly into drug abuse but I have no idea about this. Doctors, engineers, journalists – anyone of us can take drugs, as there are misguided people in every profession,” he added. Also read: 44 arrested in DMP anti-drugs drive To curb drug abuse, the government is not only running newspaper supplements but also producing short TVCs – generating awareness, increasing manpower and capacity of Narcotics Control Directorate in every district and setting up labs, he said. Asaduzzaman said the capacity of jails in Bangladesh is more than 41,000 and it will be increased soon. But there are more than 80 lakh inmates and 60 percent of them are drug peddlers, he said. “There is long backlog of cases, and a separate special tribunal for drugs cases is needed. If the punishment becomes more visible, both supply and demand of drugs will decline,” he said. Read Bangladesh gets drug, precursor test kits from Japan through UNODC There are 6 to 7 million drug addicts in Bangladesh, for whom no quality hospital is available, he said. “Our drug addiction treatment centers do not have experienced doctors or psychiatrists. No one from upper and middle-class goes to the drug treatment center in Tejgaon,” said the home minister. He assured that government will support the establishment of drug addiction treatment centers in Bangladesh through the private sector. Read Drug peddler held with yaba pills in Dhaka

Eating meat is a popular habit that many people enjoy. However, there are many people who struggle to control their desire to eat meat regularly. If You are struggling with an addiction to meat, don't worry, you are not alone. In fact, you're in the majority, as the majority of people worldwide eat meat. But if you are looking to cut down on your meat consumption, or even give it up altogether, there are many ways to reduce or stop eating meat, depending on your addiction level. This article will take you through the tips to control meat addiction. Health Risks of Eating Too Much Meat Meat is a staple in many diets around the world, but what are the health risks of eating too much meat? The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. This means that it increases the risk of developing cancer. Processed meats include bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages and other pre-packaged meats. They also include any meat that has been treated with smoke, chemicals or preservatives. In addition to that, red meat is also considered as Group 2A carcinogen by WHO. So, excess eating of pork, beef and lamb can probably cause cancer. Read: Dietitians Warning: Who Should Avoid Red Meat? How To Control Meat Addiction? People who are addicted to meat often find it difficult to break the habit. However, there are several ways people have found to overcome this addiction. Before starting to control meat addiction, you will need to identify that you are eating an excessive amount of meat and you are addicted. Here is what you can do to overcome meat addiction. Be Aware the Harmful Effect of Meat It is well known that meat consumption can result in many harmful effects on human health, but few people are aware of the harm meat addiction can cause. The harmful effect of meat has been proven by many medical professionals. Meat is the number one cause of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and obesity. It can also lead to type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and numerous other diseases. People who are eating excessive amounts of meat should be aware of these facts in order to make the process easier. Read How to Eat Red Meat Without Jeopardizing Your Health Don’t Eat Meat Every Day Is eating meat every day really necessary? Not necessarily. There are several ways to reduce or even eliminate your dependency on meat without going completely vegan or vegetarian. One way is to cut back on the amount of meat you eat. Another is to eat less processed meat.  So, if you want to avoid becoming addicted to meat, you should try not to eat it every day. Instead, eat meat every other day, or even better, just a few times a week. Although you are still eating meat, but you'll be less likely to develop a full-blown addiction. Make Changes Gradually If you are addicted to something you cannot reduce it overnight. Instead, you have to improve gradually, step by step. If you have decided that you are going to eat less meat, especially the red meat you can make changes gradually. For example, if you are eating beef once a week, you might decide eating bu weekly and later once in a month. Read Is Red Meat Good or Bad for You? Eat Poultry Red meat is one of the most addictive foods out there. The blood in red meat has some chemicals such as gamma globulin, hemoglobin, and albumin. These activate the body's opioid receptors. It’s not hard to see why, with all the amazing flavors and textures that it possesses.

Police arrested a young man as he allegedly beat his father to death in Kathipara village of Rajapur upazila on Monday.

Elizabeth Wurtzel, whose blunt and painful confessions of her struggles with addiction and depression in the best-selling "Prozac Nation" made her a voice and a target for an anxious generation, died Tuesday at age 52.