TEHRAN: The Deputy Chief of Combating Narcotics of Iran said, “Drugs addicts are growing rapidly in Iran, Universities should teach compulsory courses against narcotics abuse”. According to a Report, 500 tons of drugs are consumed in Iran annually and students as young as 15 are involved.
Second in command of Iran’s Unit of Combating Drugs, said that students responding to a survey had replied that most had begun taking drugs in high school.
According to a report on BBC Persian, Jazini said that 11.8 percent of female students and 9.3 percent of male students are addicted to narcotics.
The use of Tramadol, Ritalin and other drugs is common among many university and high school students in Iran, said the official.
Jazini said that the reason behind the growing number of drugs users, including the young, is the large-scale industrial production of such drugs.
Iran’s ministry of health has for some years run special courses in schools to educate students about the negative consequences of drug use.
The Iranian government announced last year that it will draw new educational plans with experts and the science ministry to reduce addiction and drug use among students.
Iranian officials would like all students to participate in a special course about addiction and the consumption of alcohol and drugs before entering university.
Last year, the head of the United Nations on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Antonio Maria Costa, said that “addiction in Iran is 10 times what is known in other countries.”
