Pubdate: Sun, 02 Jun 2002 Source: Tehran Times (Iran) Copyright: 2002 Tehran Times Contact: http://www.tehrantimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1903 CLERIC: DRUG ABUSE THORNIEST PROBLEM OF IRAN'S SOCIETY RASHT, Gilan Province -- Representative of Velayat-e Faqih in the Gilan Province and Friday prayers leader of Rasht Ayatollah Zeinolabedin Qorbani said the illicit drug abuse and trafficking is now the thorniest problem facing the Iranian society. Ayatollah Qorbani warned against the rampant drug consumption among the youths and called for stronger actions against the evil of drugs, IRNA reported. Many mischievous acts such as theft, homicide, suicide, violence as well as divorce are most of time linked with the drug problem, the cleric said. He urged the forces, officials and organizations involved in the fight against the illicit drugs to adopt concerted measurers to mop up the drug-infested areas in the province from the drug dealers and abusers. Effective measures should be adopted to counter the rampant drug problem which he said threatens life of youth. There are about 2 million people abusing illicit drugs, of whom 800,000 abuse narcotic drugs occasionally. Most of the drug addicts consume opium but the consumption of heroin, in particular by injection, is on the rise. The increasing abuse of illicit drugs have created complicated problems in particular the overcrowding of the prisons. Abusing illicit drugs through injection was a major factor responsible for the AIDS infection in Iran. Ayatollah Qorbani said to effectively counter the drugs, officials should first proceed to identify the root-causes of the problem, adding that public awareness can be a good approach to hamper the spread of the drug usage among people, and in particular, among young. He further urged the organizations and ministries to actively take part in the efforts to curb the narcotics dilemma. The cleric said families should take duly care of their youth and prevent them from falling pray to the drug abuse. Iran sits on the crossroads of the international drug trade which originates from sources in Afghanistan and Pakistan to markets in Central Asia, Europe and Persian Gulf littoral states. The fight against drug trafficking, particularly in the eastern borders, has seen thousands of police officers killed in drug-related battles throughout the country over the past two decades. - --- MAP posted-by: Ariel