Drug Use in Iran (IranVNC.com)

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, some three-million Iranians are believed to be users of illegal drugs, and the face of the epidemic is changing.

As these pictures on a Tehran street show, crack is an increasing menace; a more addictive and dangerous synthetic variation of the heroin smuggled across the Afghani border.

To combat what the U-N calls the heroin Tsunami washing over Iran, this public service announcement soon will begin airing on television stations -- warning of the dangers of drug use.

A United Nations representative praised the government for its aggressive efforts to stem the smuggling tide.

SOUNDBITE: "The work of Iran has been extraordinary in terms of results related to drug seizures."

President Ahmadinejad said the country's struggle with illegal narcotics is a "holy war."

SOUNDBITE: "Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is decisive, serious and a pioneer in the war on drugs. But we need international determination in order to eradicate drugs"

Studies indicate the drug epidemic is intensifying throughout the region. Iran is just one of the so-called 'transit' countries surrounding Afghanistan in which use of heroin and derivative substances like crack is fueled by easy access to the drug, lower prices, and rising unemployment.
Yet Iran's problems appear to be more serious and potentially devastating.

A prominent expert on drug abuse in Iran, Peter Reuter of America's University of Maryland, claims Iran has "the world's worst heroin problem."

According to a report in the Washington Post newspaper, 70% of Iran's drug users are unemployed. A poll within Iran suggests 80% of the country link the problem of drug addiction with Iran's unemployment rate. Iran's ministry of public welfare has reported that most addicts in the country are between ten and nineteen years old.

Expert William Samii reports that more and more young Iranians, prohibited from consuming alcohol under Islamic law, are turning to drugs as an alternative.

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