Drug use is an alarming problem in Bangladesh. An estimated 1.7 million people are drug users in the country, Injecting drug users present a tremendous potential for an HIV epidemic due to their needle-sharing habits, while non-injecting drug users are also prone to spread/ receive HIV infection through their unsafe sexual behavior. 

Street children use a number of substances including solvents such as glue and petrol sniffing, apart from heroin, cannabis, psychotropic substances and sedatives to cope with social stresses of living on the street.  Sexual abuse is extremely common.  They are also sexually active at a younger age and often indulge in multi-partner sex with older boys and girls who promise security on the streets.