Bangladesh, Sept. 11 -- Drug abuse and trafficking are reportedly taking an increasingly alarming turn in the Rangpur region, with growing concerns that the spread of narcotics is contributing to theft, snatching, robbery and even violent crimes.

The situation is also raising fears about the emergence of juvenile gangs, as school- and college-going youths are increasingly becoming exposed to drugs, according to local residents and people familiar with the situation.

Large consignments of Phensedyl, yaba, heroin and other narcotics reportedly enter the region illegally through border areas of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram. Although law enforcement agencies occasionally seize drug consignments, allegations persist that many shipments evade de...