BAHRAIN
Most of the heroin abusers are male, between 20-35 years
of age. They are reported to belong to the low and middle income class (U.N.
1990).
EGYPT
According to reports, most abusers are males between
20-40 years of age. Only 5 cases of female abusers were reported among
registered opium abusers (U.N. 1989).
Drug abusers in Egypt are reported most likely married;
professional workers also have a high incidence of abuse (U.N. 1989).
IRAQ
No information reported in Annual Reports Questionnaire
by 31st December 1993.
IRAN
Drug abuse is mainly reported among men, while abuse
among women is rare. According to the latest surveys, abuse has increased among
drivers, particularly inner-city drivers (U.N. 1990). Opium abuse is reported
often among middle and older age groups, and farmers (U.N. 1990). Heroin abuse
is more common among the youth, young businessmen and workers (U.N. 1990). Cannabis
abuse is more frequent among youths (U.N. 1990).
ISRAEL
Drug abuse is reported more prevalent among males than
females, with the exception of illicit abuse of medications, which is more
prevalent among females. The illicit abuse tends to rise with age until it
reaches a peak at the 25-30 year group. In the higher age groups abuse declines
slightly (CMO 1990). Drug abuse is reported more common among divorced and
unmarried persons (U.N. 1992). According to a survey of the most densely
populated areas of Israel, drug abuse is reported spreading to all layers of
the population, independent of social strata (U.N. 1992).
KUWAIT
Abusers are reported between 20-45 years of age (U.N.
1991).
OMAN
Most drug abusers are unemployed with medium to low
levels of education (CMO 1990). According to 1989 data most drug dependent
abusers are unemployed with a small proportion of abusers among workers (CMO
1989). Among the working sector, taxi and lorry drivers are considered to be at
risk (CMO 1991).
PAKISTAN
The average age of heroin abusers is 27.5 years, which
is the lowest for all drug users. For cannabis abusers, the average age is 29.7
years. The average age of opium abusers is higher, at 34 years. In most
provinces the starting age of abuse was between 16-20 years (43 per cent)
(Fourth National Survey 1989).
Generally, drug abusers are reported uneducated, and
with a low literacy rate. In urban areas about half of the abusers were married
and half single, while about 60 per cent of the abusers in rural areas were
single (Fourth National Survey 1989). About 82 per cent of the abusers are
employed or have some source regular of income. Heroin and cannabis abusers are
reported mostly among labourers, transport workers and shopkeepers. Opium is
also abused by laborers and shopkeepers, and is ranked as the preferred drug
among farmers. Nearly 8 per cent of all drug dependent abusers are students,
half of which are heroin abusers (Fourth National Survey 1989).
About 90 per cent of drug abusers are men, according to
a 1986 survey. The majority are from the lower middle class, though abuse has
spread among middle- and upper-class youth as well (ESCAP 1991).
QATAR
Drug abuse in Qatar is reported more common among males
aged 20-35, who have little education (CMO 1990). Most heroin abusers are male
(1 per cent female), and most are in the 20-30 age range. Abuse is more common
among single and unemployed persons (U.N. 1990). About half of the
benzodiazepine abusers are female, and most abusers are between 30-40 years of
age. Abuse is most common among married housewives (U.N. 1990). Drug abuse
among the youth is most common among those who lacked parental supervision, as
well as among victims of excessive spoiling or harshness. About 90 per cent
belong to families or family groups of which at least one person is a drug
abuser (CMO 1990).
SAUDI ARABIA
All drug abusers in Saudi Arabia are male (U.N. 1990). Most
abusers are reported between 20-40 years of age, laborers and uneducated
individuals. About 60 per cent of the abusers are unmarried (U.N. 1988).
SYRIA
Most abusers are between 20-45 years of age, with the
exception of cannabis and amphetamine abusers who are reported of different
ages (U.N. 1992).
Heroin abuse is reported more common
among the middle class population, and cocaine abuse is more frequent among the
wealthy (U.N. 1990).
References and notes
See specific country reports