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The spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Drug Control Headquarters has said that the total amount of drug seizures during nine months of the current year stood at 713 tons. He added that ice constituted one percent of the said figure indicating 332 percent increase compared to a similar period OF last year.
According to the public relations department of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Drug Control Headquarters, Dr. Lotfi who was attending his first Press Conference since his appointment as the new Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Drug Control Headquarters elaborated on the activities by various departments of the Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) during nine months of the current year and said that the total amount of drug seizures during nine months of the current year stood at 713 tons which indicates 16 percent increase compared to a similar period last year. He added that based on the existing figures, opium, hashish, morphine and heroin constituted the highest rate of seizures similar to the previous year and there has been 332 percent rise in ice seizure.
He underscored that the Police and security forces have managed to seize drug consignments in eastern provinces of the country during the said period indicating that these consignments were transferred from outside the country entering Iran via eastern borders.
Lotfi said that opium and hashish had thehighest share of the drug seizures similar to previous years. This means that opium and hashish constituted 80% and 9% of the seizures respectively.
He added that the Police force and the Intelligence Ministry carried out the majority of operations with 86% and 11% respectively as their share of participation in operations followed by the Basij force and the Customs administration.
Speaking of measures for dealing blows to the economic foundations of drug traffickers, the Spokesman said that economic interests act as the major incentive for drug traffickers who are involved in the sinister trade adding that dealing blows to the economic foundations of drug traffickers is one of the priorities of the Drug Control Headquarters. He said that despite the rise in the amount of drug seizures, there has been 83% decrease in the number of martyrs. Last year, 12 persons dedicated their lives for the sake of combating illicit drugs and this year two persons were martyred in the course of the campaign against narcotic drugs.
He underlined that even though the Police force had the highest rate of drug seizures, the operations conducted by the Police force were intelligence-based operations. In other words, 70% of the operations were intelligence-based ones and the remaining 30% were based on combat and law enforcement operations and this is the main reason for the reduction in the number of martyrs.
The Spokesman also touched upon the issue of treatment and harm reduction and said that centers under article 15 comprising outpatient centers, outreach teams, shelters and medium-term residential centers have provided treatment for more than 1.6 million individuals. Meanwhile, more than 50,000 individuals have received treatment services at centers under article 16.
He also referred to activities in the field of culture and prevention and said that the project known as the Helpers of Life has been approved by the President and is being followed up. The Education Ministry is the main partner organization for the implementation of the plan. On this basis, several MOUs have been signed with various centers. It should be noted that artists, eulogists, athletes, etc. have voiced their readiness for cooperation aimed at implementing the plan. Speaking of the actions taken in line with the said plan, he referred to the clearing out of Harandi area where a number of seminars as well as cultural and athletic events have been held this year aimed at empowering the families and harmed individuals.
Referring to the topic of international cooperation, the Spokesman said that this year marks the 20th year of the Islamic Republic of Iran's cooperation with the UN in the field of combating illicit drugs. UNODC has the task of combating crime and illicit drugs at the international level and UNODC Executive Directors have on various occasions described the Islamic Republic of Iran as the main partner of the UN in combating illicit drugs as well as the flag-bearer of the global fight against narcotic drugs.
Lotfi also said that the Regional Center for treatment of drug abuse disorders was inaugurated in Tehran last week. This is due to the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches special importance to treatment and harms reduction.
He added that the Center for Addiction Studies that was selected as the Regional Center for treatment of drug abuse disorders last week was earlier chosen by the World Health Organization as a partner organization. The center has been given accreditation by two international organizations being endorsed as a selected center in the field of treatment.
He concluded by saying that today the commitment by the global community for supporting Iran's activities has not been met and so far 30% of the needed funds for UN projects in the field of drug control have been obtained. This is due to unilateral and tyrannical approaches as well as the politicization of cooperation in the field of humanitarian matters particularly the issue of narcotic drugs.
DCHQ,January 1, 2020