132. JORDAN, THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF Cnly a few drug-related problems, such as prosecutions for drug offences (60 persons), seizures of cannabis (hashish) and opium, are reported.
133. PAKISTAN It is estimated that 100,000 persons abuse opiates and 50,000 cannabis. Opium and cannabis have been the traditional drugs of abuse for a long time. Opium is also used for quasi-medical purposes because of the lack of medical care for a major portion of the population, especially in rural areas. Opium is taken orally and by smoking mostly by people in the 35-60 age group; they belong to the lower income groups. Cannabis abuse (smoking and orally) is more commonly encountered in the 20-40 age group. Young people, especially students, are becoming attracted to the smoking of cannabis and cannabis resin. Young and middle-aged people in the middle and higher income groups are abusing morphine (orally and by injection), pethidine (by injection) and psychotropic substances, such as amphetamine-type and barbiturate-type drugs (both orally). The abuse of cocaine (orally) has also been observed. The most common combinations in multiple drug abuse are: opiates/cannabis; cannabis/amphetamines and cannabis/barbiturate- type drugs. In 1975, 14,685 persons were prosecuted for drug offences (cannabis, opiates and psychotropic substances).
134. SYRIA There were 592 persons implicated in drug offences (opium, cannabis. resin, liquid cannabis).
135. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 34/ There were some persons addicted to drugs among the 112 cases of drug offences.
136. YEMEN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC 34/ There are some registered opium addicts: all of whom are elderly males. Registered addicts are permitted to obtain tincture of opium on the basis of medical recommendations. Opium smoking is tolerated only for registered addicts.
B.
Main characteristics of drug abuse in the Near and Middle East
137. On the basis of available information from 11 countries, the following characteristics may be pointed out: (i) abuse of opiates and cannabis (hashish) forms the core of the drug abuse problem in most countries of this region; (ii) in some countries, such as Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, opiate addiction dominates, while in others, such as Egypt, cannabis (hashish) abuse prevails; (iii) multiple drug abuse appears to be a new pattern of drug taking and (iv) an increasing abuse of psychotropic substances.
138. The abuse of opium is prevalent in a number of countries especially in the rural areas amongst the older population in the lower income groups. For example, the estimated number of persons abusing opium in Iran is 350,000 and in Pakistan 100,000. Very widespread opium abuse (smoking and orally) in Iran has recently been complicated by the rapid spread and increasing abuse of heroin (smoking) among young people in urban areas. Other opiates, such as morphine and synthetic narcotics, are abused in Pakistan by young and middle-aged people. The abuse of codeine, cough syrups and antitussive tablets is observed in Egypt. Law breaking, illnesses and family disorders are common problems associated with opiate addiction.
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