Speaking in a press conference, he said that according to the UN’s latest report, over 280 million people use drugs worldwide and over 450,000 people die annually because of using drugs.
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
He added that according to the UN, the number of female drugs addicts has increased in the past 5 years.
On anti-narcotics actions in the country, he said that the country should review laws regarding the assets of drug dealers, adding that currently, the assets of drug dealers cannot be confiscated because of the lapse in the law and the law should be revised in a way that drug dealers could prove that their assets have not been through smuggling.
He admitted that the current punishments for addicts or petty drug dealers are not deterrent and after they are released from prison, they resume their jobs.
Eskandari went on to say that almost 70 percent of prisoners are in Iran’s prisons in drug-related crimes and it shows that the punishments are not deterrent.
He reiterated that he does not mean smugglers should face capital punishment but punishments should be tough to stop them from return to their jobs.
He added that the government by itself is not able to combat with drugs and it needs popular help.
He also accused the U.S. and Europe of being the major factor in increase of drugs.
Momeni admitted that drug consumption in Iran has grown by 5 percent annually in the past 10 years and currently the number of drug addicts is around 2.8m and 1.6m also use drugs as fun.
He reiterated that the security forces have discovered and confiscated 300 tons of different types of narcotics in the past four months which shows 7% growth comparing to the same period last year.
He admitted that in the past 40 years the country has taken good measures in combating or treatment but in prevention, it has not used all capacities.
- source : Iran news
