Official: Close to 3 million people have addiction problems
Tehran, July 7, IRNA -- Director of Public Relations and International
Affairs Department of the Drug Control Headquarters Mohammad Hossein Khademi said here Monday that out of Iran's population of about 67 million, 'close to three million people have addiction problems'.
The UN as well as Iranian non-governmental organizations (NGO) also strive to put into effect programs to prevent the rest of the population from the menace of narcotics addiction. Describing the 'DCH special anti-drug campaign', he said this year's plans are different from previous ones due to its special emphasis on cultural dimensions of addiction which stresses the prevention side.
He added that the DCH anti-narcotics plans are based on UN's plans and aspires to incorporate President Khatami's views. Although waging campaign against cultivation, production and distribution of narcotics is a priority for the headquarters, 'its pivotal role is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in the country', Khademi said.
Presidential advisor and DCH secretary general, Ali Hashemi said here last Wednesday that the drug problem has degenerated into a global threat, 'whose impact is no less than that of nuclear and environmental hazards'.
Speaking to reporters, he added that the cash flow from drug trade runs close to dlrs 1,600 billion annually and that the total number of addicts worldwide is close to 400 million.
He referred to the 44 million youth under 30 in Iran and said, "They are facing danger of addiction and we need to strive to create employment opportunities for them and fill their idle time."
He also warned that if addiction in the country is not effectively dealt with, it could become a national security threat. He said one of the DCH's goals is to reduce the threat of addiction through prevention and treatment. He further highlighted the important role of non-governmental organization (NGO) in combating drugs trafficking.
Hashemi stated that DCH has inked anti-drug trafficking agreements with over 28 countries and participated in four seminars held in Paris, Tehran, Vienna and Kabul last year. Hashemi said Afghanistan still poses a serious danger to the region as its serves as a route for transit of drugs.
He said more than 65,000 hectares of lands in Afghanistan were under poppy cultivation and the figure is expected to reach 85,000 hectares in 2003.
He expressed regret over Iran lying on the route for transit of drugs, calling for all-out campaign against use of illicit drugs.
He added that 152 tons of drugs, including 10 tons of morphine and 65 tons of hashish, were confiscated from drug traffickers in the same period.
NB/AH/AR End
http://www.irna.ir/en/tnews/030707190641.etn09.shtml
3 million addicts is about 4.5 % of the population and about 7 % of those under 30!
"They are facing danger of addiction and we need to strive to create employment opportunities for them and fill their idle time."
Why not give them freedom to create their own future, obviously the mosque is not the answer.
The DCH reports this story now? Why? To try and make people believe that the students protesting are all drug addicts? Seems like a self serving story for the regime to be reported at this time.