Dhaka: The number of female drug users in the country is increasing day by day while that of Yaba users has seen a rise by 15-20 percent in the last several months.

Director (Ops and intelligence) of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) Syed Towfique Uddin Ahmed came up with the information while briefing reporters at the DNC headquarters in the city on Monday.

Asked about the number of female and underage drug users, Towfique said they have no exact statistics, but said the female drug users are increasing in number.

Noting that the DNC will launch a research on the drug users soon, he said, ‘Through the research findings, we’ll be able to know who take drugs and why, and we can take steps accordingly to control it.’

The DNC official said the use of Yaba pills has increased by 15-20 percent in recent months.

Replying to a query, he said the DNC has been carrying out anti-narcotics drives across the country with its limited manpower.  ‘Besides, members of other law enforcement agencies have been conducting anti-drug drives alongside the DNC,’ he said.

Towfique said they have urged the authorities concerned to take steps to check the abuse of drugs ahead of Christmas Day on December 25 and New Year celebrations on December 31^st night.

He said 828 cases were filed against 907 people in November last on charges of peddling drugs across the country while the figure was 810 and 889 respectively in the corresponding period last year.