Dhaka, Jan. 25 -- A total of 82 lakh people, almost 5% of the population in Bangladesh, use illegal drugs for recreational purposes, according to the findings of a nationwide survey.

Professor Md Shahinul Alam, vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), disclosed the survey at a dissemination meeting titled "Estimation of the Number and Category of Persons Abusing Drugs and Associated Factors: A Nationwide Study in Bangladesh" held at the Super Specialised Hospital conference hall of BMU, said a press release issued on Sunday.

The study was conducted under the supervision of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and Bangladesh Medical University and Research and Management Consultants Limited (RMCL) jointly conducted th...