Pills That Are Gazans' Little Helpers

The NY Times ^ | May 7, 2009 | Staff

[forkinsocket]

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Palestinians struggling to cope with the Israeli blockade of Gaza and the trauma of war are turning to painkillers and tranquillizers at a rate that risks triggering a wave of addiction.

There is also evidence of mounting recreational drug use as Gaza drifts in limbo, with no clear political future.

Gaza residents reported health problems after a 22-day Israeli offensive last January, with most citing psychological problems and stress, according to a survey published by the United Nations Gender Task Force on April 21.

"With increased trauma and stress and limited access to professional psychosocial services, there is a rising problem of self-medication with unsupervised pharmaceutical therapies among the Gaza population," said a summary presented in Jerusalem.

One eighth-grade teacher, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said she recently found several 13-year-olds using tramadol hydrochloride, a strong painkiller sold under the brand name Tramal which is now drug of choice in the Gaza Strip.

A boy had stolen the drug from his parents' room and passed it to friends, unaware of its potency or the risk of addiction.

[forkinsocket]

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[kromike]

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I guess ObamaCare is gonna have to pick up their tab too since EVERYTHING is our fault these days.

[rbg81]

What is this supposed to be—another reason for Israel to cave? And who is subsidizing this?

[Centurion2000]

Like the assassins of old ... more moselms looking to medicate their lives away.

Hashish, prozac, xanax .... what's the difference ...

[lonestar67]

The absurdity of the Palestinian debate is this:

Yes, palestinians are dying and being killed— by groups such as Hamas.

Until Conservatives and other sane individuals are willing to name the perpetrators of these crimes, the peace process will continue to be the anti peace process.

Hamas murdered fatah and various political machines among the Palestinians maintain control via unjust murders. Of course people abuse drugs in these situations.

[Thombo2]

Thanx for the post.I ran out of sympathy for Palistinians years ago.This is a prime example of the NYTimes in classic form.I “assume” some readers will be moved by this obvious example of agit-prop.Maybe they’ll all o.d.-end of problem:)

[Col Freeper]

Would someone please post current information on how long it is expected to be before the NYT expires.

I always look for articles with those type headers when I sign on at FR.

Thanks in advance. 8-)

[colorado tanker]

I'm not surprised their self-medicating. Despite the brainwashing and mass insanity, it must take a toll to deliberately place your own civilians in your combat zone, knowing some will die, and at the same time target innocent civilians on the other side. It would not be easy knowing you're a kid who can't do anything about the fact Hamas is painting a target on you by hiding in your school or home.

Evil takes a toll on the soul.