US invasion leaves Iraq with dogged drug issue

BAGHDAD — Iraq was almost a drug-free state 20 years ago. But since the US invasion in 2003, violence, unemployment, poverty and a fragile health system have turned the country into a haven for drug use and trafficking, of which young Iraqis have been the biggest victims.

Fakher Monther, head of the media office of the General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs at the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, said at a recent drug awareness symposium that the most complex problem affecting Iraqi society is the spread of drugs, especially among young people.

"Crystal meth and Captagon are widespread in Iraq and could cause the death of users, in addition to the spread of cannabis, also known as marijuana, and a smaller spread of heroin," Monther said during the symposium held on May 29 in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

There is also an increase in the use of Valium pills and analgesics such as Tramadol, which is a pain reliever used after surgeries.

Under Iraqi law, whoever imports, exports or manufactures narcotic substances shall be punished by death or life imprisonment, and whoever possesses drugs shall be imprisoned between 10 and 15 years. There are also penalties for those who are caught as drug users.

But harsh penalties failed to curb the spread of drugs, let alone trafficking activities. The General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs in Iraq arrested 8,676 drug dealers and drug users during dozens of raids in Baghdad and other provinces from November last year to May.

Pills seized

More than 9.27 million Captagon pills, 456 weapons, 118 hand grenades and 808 vehicles were seized during the same period, Monther said.

Monther told Xinhua News Agency on the sidelines of the symposium that the provinces of Maysan, Basra and Anbar are the most affected by the drug trade due to their border with Iran and Syria.

Ali Al-Saadi, a social activist in the field of drug control, told Xinhua that Iraqi society faces a real danger because the damage of drugs is not limited to drug abusers. It may lead to the collapse of society through increased violence, murders, family disintegrations, and even economic and cultural deterioration.

Before 2003, the use and trade of drugs in Iraq were very limited, if not nearly nonexistent. Iraq was a model in the region in terms of the strict security measures against the use and trade of drugs.

Then, everything changed with the US invasion in 2003. The continued chaos and conflict that swept the country have also hindered successive governments from properly addressing the drug problem.

Xinhua