Yaba, a methamphetamine-based drug, has slowly become the dominant path for drug abuse over the last two decades.

But recent trends show that the drug is becoming more damaging as the manufacturers are making the drug with some harmful elements.

The issue has recently come to light as the law enforcers are seizing huge amount of fake Yaba across the country.

This fake Yaba is being manufactured with expired contraceptive pills, chalk powder, talcum powder, glucose, paracetamol tablets, stearic acid, vanilla powder, and paraffin.

Generally, a Yaba tablet weighs around 100 milligrams. It has 15-20 milligrams of amphetamine, 30-40 milligrams of caffeine and the rest is chocolate coating ingredients.

But recently, law enforcement found that at least 50% of seized Yaba contains amphetamine only around two to five milligrams.

At least four samples taken from seized Yaba per day are fake – have no presence of amphetamine, the main ingredient of yaba, according to the Central Chemical Lab of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).

While talking about the issue, experts opined that the fake Yaba has been posing a serious health threat among its users, especially younger generation.

Mentioning that adulterated Yaba pills are sometimes more dangerous than the real ones, Dr Mohit Kamal, an eminent psychiatrist of the country, said it may cause kidney problems, inflammation of the liver, loss of appetite, irritability, and other physical problems.

BDST: 1615 HRS, JAN 03, 2021
AP