7 surprising facts about drug addiction in Iran
Even as some U.S. government leaders claim we are on the verge of war with Iran, most Americans know very little about this isolationist Middle-Eastern country. One thing that might surprise many people about Iran is the depth and seriousness of the drug problem within its borders.
1. According to the Washington Post, Iran currently has the world’s highest rate of drug addiction.
2. The United Nations reported in 2005 that Iran had the highest rate of opium addicts in the world, with over 2.5% of the population over the age of 15 having developed a dependence on the drugs.
3. Some political reformers in Iran believe that drugs are being used by the hard line government as a tool to destroy the opposition - and claim that drug dealers are given the OK by the government to give drugs away for free on college campuses.
4. The revenue from the illegal drug trade in Iran is almost three-quarters of that of the country’s considerable oil business.
5. There are approximately 200,000 IV drug users in Iran. It is believed that 50,000 of them are currently infected with HIV.
6. Due to the fundamentalist nature of the government in Iran, there are very few drug rehab facilities, needle exchanges or education opportunities to teach young people about the dangers of drug use.
7. Iran is a major route for the drugs that move out of Afghanistan and into Europe for mass consumption. This is due to the small numbers of borders that need to be crossed in order to transport heroin and other illegal substances.
Addicted individuals in the United States are lucky enough to have outstanding drug rehab programs at their disposal. If you, or someone you love has developed a substance abuse problem, contact an addiction treatment facility in your area.
Tags: drug addiction, heroin addiction