Drugs in the Global Village
Middle East Regional Report

Trends of Drug Abuse

BAHRAIN
A large decrease was reported in the abuse of heroin in 1990. This drop is attributed to law reinforcement, drug education efforts, increased public awareness, rehabilitation programmes at hospitals and cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. Benzodiazepines abuse was reported stable (U.N. 1990).

EGYPT
A large increase in the abuse of all drugs was reported in 1989, which was attributed to an increase in the population (U.N. 1989).
The number of drug dependent abusers receiving treatment in psychiatric hospitals has increased from 157 abusers in 1982, to 1193 in 1988, and 995 in 1989, according to data collected by the Ministery of Health, Mental Health Department (U.N. 1990).

IRAQ
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

IRAN
Some decrease was reported in the abuse of opium, heroin and cannabis in 1992. This is attributed to intensive drug control measures which have been adopted; including strengthening the forces in the eastern borders of the country (U.N. 1992) and the implementation of a new law to counter illicit drug traffic (Iran Mission 1991). As a result, no new cases of drug abuse were reported in 1991 (Country Statement 1992).

ISRAEL
According to estimates from the police and the Anti-Drug Authority of Israel, the number of drug dependent abusers has grown from fewer than 5,000 a decade ago, to more than 30,000 today - nearly 1 per cent of the population (CND 1992).
Some increase was reported in the abuse of heroin and cocaine in 1992 (U.N. 1992).

KUWAIT
Some decrease in drug abuse is reported. This is attributed to increased drug control efforts, as well as a decline in the number of foreign employee following the Gulf War (U.N. 1991).

OMAN
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

PAKISTAN
The number of drug abusers has doubled over the last decade, rising from a total of 1.2 million drug abusers (of which 5,000 were heroin users) to 2.2 million in 1988 (of which 1 million were heroin users) (NCP 1989).
Heroin abuse in Pakistan has been continuously increasing. In the two year period from 1986-1988, there was a 64 per cent increase in the number of abusers. A large increase in heroin abuse was also reported in 1990 (Fourth National Survey 1989, U.N. 1990).
Trends show that slightly fewer young people are starting to use opium (Fourth National Survey 1989).
In 1988, about 9.2 per cent or every 1 in 11 male Pakistani over 15 years of age was a drug dependent abusers, compared to 1982 when the addiction rate among males of 15 years and above was 5.3 per cent (Fourth National Survey 1989). 

QATAR
Some decrease in the abuse of heroin and benzodiazepines was reported in 1990 (U.N. 1990).

SAUDI ARABIA
Some increase is reported in the abuse of sedatives. Some decrease is reported in the abuse of amphetamines, and a large decrease is reported in the abuse of heroin and cannabis in 1990 (U.N. 1990). A large decrease in the abuse of all drugs was reported in 1988, which was attributed to a decree sentencing drug traffickers and drug dealers to death (U.N. 1988).

SYRIA