Iraq faces rising drug abuse amid calls to intensify efforts

Despite Iraqi regulatory authorities’ efforts to dismantle drug networks, arrest those involved, and confiscate large quantities of drugs, drug abuse and addiction prevalence among youths poses a serious threat to society.

Spokesperson for the Anti-Narcotics Directorate, Colonel Bilal Al-Zubaidi, stated that during the past two months, 2,500 people accused of trafficking, promotion, and abuse were arrested, in addition to confiscating 1,2 million Captagon pills, and about 53 kilograms of narcotics.

He added that the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, constantly organizes seminars and awareness lectures for university students about the dangers of drug abuse, urging the community to report such cases and help authorities combat this phenomenon.

Meanwhile, activist Enas Karim referred to the government should step up its efforts in terms of controlling borders, providing addiction treatment centers, and intensively educating society about the dangers of drugs. The Iraqi law of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances imposes harsh penalties, up to life imprisonment or the death penalty.