Pubdate: Mon, 01 Jul 2002
Source: Tehran Times (Iran)
Copyright: 2002 Tehran Times
Contact:  http://www.tehrantimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1903
Section: Tehran Times Social Desk

NUMBER OF ADDICTS RISING BY THE DAY

TEHRAN -- The Governor of Doroud, Hashem Valipour, during a meeting of the 
Anti-Drug Headquarters here, disclosed that the number of drug addicts in 
the country is rising by the day.

"Some 500 addicts from various cities are added daily to the total number," 
he added.

He further said that while the number of addicts is rising, the average age 
of drug addiction is decreasing. He said the drug addict population of the 
country has been found to double every 10 years.

He cited statistics indicating that "over 100 addicts succumb to drug 
misuse every day." Valipour went on to say that the greatest concern of 
most Iranian families is to keep their children away from the drug 
disaster. He stressed the role of cultural centers in the campaign to 
eliminate drug addiction in the country.

Citing poverty and unemployment as primary factors that encourage people to 
turn to drugs, he noted with regret that in some cities access to drugs is 
easier than access to bread.
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