Bangladesh, June 26 -- Around 82 lakh people in Bangladesh are currently addicted to various types of drugs, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Thursday, warning that the growing spread of synthetic and semi-synthetic narcotics is worsening the situation.

He made the remarks while speaking at a programme organised by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat, marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The minister said the government has taken initiatives to modernise the legal framework to tackle drug-related crimes and protect society from their devastating impact.

He added that the process of amending the Narcotics Control Act is in its final stag...