“I don’t want the lives of thousands of frustrated Bangladeshi youth in New York to be ruined like mine was. So I am warning them through the media and I am drawing the attention of the authorities regarding those who are engaged in destructive activities.”
This statement comes from a middle-aged Bangladeshi who wanted to warn youth about the dangers of phensidyl or dhal (This is a type of intoxicating chemical produced in India and sold throughout Bangladesh that youths take to get drunk).
The ingredients to produce phensydil are imported as “boot polish” or “soap.” The intoxicant is then put into bottled water and sold to frustrated youths of New York and surrounding states. A large sales network stretches from Jackson Heights to Astoria, Jamaica, Woodside and Brooklyn. It is gradually spreading across Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Virginia and Maryland.
Addicted youth spoke to Weekly Thikana about this situation under the condition of anonymity.
Importation of the ingredients needed for the production of dhal began a few years ago through JFK International Airport by three people in Jackson Heights. Later someone involved in the research of problems of arsenic in water at a world-renowned educational institution joined them. Youths claim that dhal, which costs $30 a bottle, is being sold in regular one-dollar-size bottles of water.
“With local beer at $1.50 a bottle and even with cheap wine available, why are they drinking the costly dhal?” the youth replied. “The taste of dhal is different from beer or wine. If you drink dhal you can dream of another world. If you drink wine throughout the night, you won’t get that. I spend hard-earned $30 everyday. Now I understand the damage I have done to my health.”
According to Dr Mohammed Kamal, dhal is dangerous because it increases your blood pressure and heart rate. It has a soothing effect on the brain and you develop a temporary sort of euphoria. If this habit endures, you will lose your appetite and become sleepless. It has a long term effect on the body. Those who persist drinking it may not be able to be cured of its effects.
A Hollis, Queens youth, who now drinks beer instead of dhal, said that many are suffering from frustration. “We thought that if we came to America, we would earn lots of money and lead a dream life. But in reality nothing like that is happening and in many cases things are just the reverse. Many of us are doing hard work can’t even send that much money to our loved ones in our native country.”
The youth said that just two years ago dhal, a panacea for all frustrated youths that could only be found in Jackson Heights, is now available on 36th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, and Church McDonald neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The production and distribution of dhal is based in a home in Woodside, the youth mentioned, and that two or three Bangladeshis from a district adjacent to India have brought dhal to New York and are using this business to fulfill their American dream. He said that it seemed that law enforcement agencies have yet to understand what is being imported in New York City some 600 youths are drinking dhal regularly. The practice is also spreading to youths of neighboring states. Bottles of dhal are being sold as Snapple or as bottles of juice after the intoxicant is mixed in. Those who don’t know about dhal would not be able to detect it in the drink.
As a result this unscrupulous business is being conducted unrestricted. All must come forward to save this community from this heinous trend. Members of law enforcement agencies must be made aware of these activities.
