Iraq – Iraq faces rising drug abuse amid calls to intensify efforts

101

Location: Baghdad, Iraq

Language: Arabic

Voice: Natural

Duration: 00:03:41

Source: A24

Restriction: A24 clients

Dateline: 25/3/2022

Storyline

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.

Shotlist

– Soundbite (Colonel Bilal Al-Zubaidi – Spokesman for the Anti-Narcotics Directorate):

“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. Citizens had a major role in these operations by calling the hotline of the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs, which is a free line that works in all governorates of Iraq. Ignorance is one of the main reasons that expose people to the dangers of drugs. 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.”

– Soundbite (Enas Karim – activist in the fight against drugs):

“We should address the origins of this issue through controlling borders, providing addiction treatment centers, and intensively educating society about the dangers of drugs. My organization works on spreading awareness among people by holding awareness lectures in universities and by field campaigns. We also working on treating addicts.”

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