Drug-Related Deaths Up

Data released by Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters (IDCH) last year (ended March 20), show that 3,190 people lost their lives due to drug abuse, and the figure has increased by 6.2% compared to the previous year. “Currently, there are 2.8 million regular drug abusers in the country of whom 66.8% are on opium, 11.9% on marijuana, 10.6% on heroin, and 8.1% use crystal Meth,” said Parviz Afshar, deputy director of Drug Demand Reduction Office at IDCH, ISNA reported.  The provinces of Tehran, Fars, and Khorasan Razavi had the highest rates of death due to drug abuse during the period. Prevalence of drugs use is the highest among young adults between the ages 21 and 24.