Drug abuse in Syria: pattern of use, causes and perception as perceived by Syrian addicts

Abstract

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the current pattern, causes and attitude towards drug use amongst Syrian prisoners who were incarcerated due to their using drugs. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study that was conducted over a period of six months. Prisoners were recruited from two main civil prisons in Syria. The data collected in this study were through the use of a self-administered survey. The prisoners were met in a separate room away from their dormitories and they were asked to fill out the survey after obtaining their verbal consent. Keyfindings A total of 50 participants were recruited (response rate = 66.7%). Most of the prisoners (n = 29, 58.0%) started to use drugs at a friend's home, and the most commonly used drug was Hashish (weed and cannabis) (n = 22, 44.0%). Two-thirds of the participants (n = 34, 68.0%) said that they returned to drugs after quitting. The most common reason was using drugs for euphoria (n = 12, 24.0%). Regarding prisoners' beliefs about different causes of drug use, curiosity was found to be the most common cause of drug use (n = 19, 38.0%). Surprisingly, prisoners incorrectly believed that they can take drugs and they can stop them whenever they want (n = 34, 68.0%) and that drug use does not lead to addiction (n = 30, 60.0%).Conclusions The findings of this study indicate the need to devote more attention to family and peer influences on an individual's behaviour by policymakers, in developing preventive strategies. As well as, the need to raise the awareness of individuals in the society about drug use, subsequently, changes their incorrect perceptions towards drugs through several strategies including educational programmes as well as workshops whether in school, universities or social media.

Prevalence and behavior regarding cigarette and water pipe smoking among Syrian undergraduates

“…As a conservative country illicit drug use and alcohol consumption is shunned upon in an Islamic country where approximately 90% of the population is Muslim [ 10 ]. Nevertheless, drug abuse has always been popular among prisoners, and with the brutal armed conflict leaving many regions out of control, increasing the smuggling of many illicit drugs [ 11 ]. Assessing these harmful factors is valuable to target high-risk groups through community-based interventions such as education, cessation campaigns, and social media [ 7 ].…”

Substance Abuse among University Students: Assessing Prevalence, Risk and Preventive Measures

“…The questionnaire was constructed upon reviewing relevant literature 1,2 . The draft questionnaire was reviewed by three research experts for face and content validity to assess its relevance, specificity, and comprehensiveness The questionnaire was developed in English,; the language of instruction in the Jordanian universities The final version of the questionnaire was divided into several sections addressing different topics of interest.…”

“…Substance use is generally known as a state produced by the continued and exceeding use of a certain substance (natural or synthetic), which causes periodic and chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and to society 1 .…”

The epidemics of substance misuse and suicide in Syria: casualties of protracted conflict and political instability

“…The breakdown of Syrian society and the trade in psychoactive substances has increased their availability in the post-con ict period. [32,33] The social determinants of substance misuse in Syria cannot be ignored alongside record-high estimates of individuals living under the poverty line (97% of the current Syrian population. [4] Given insu cient MHPSS services and staff across Syria, some may turn to substance misuse as a means of dealing with their trauma.…”

“…The most common substances abused in Syria include cannabis (hashish), heroin, tramadol, methamphetamine and Captagon (Fenethylline, a codrug of amphetamine and theophylline). [33] While a few recent reports have highlighted a signi cant increase in Captagon production in Syria which has fuelled use across the Middle East, this is not new to the region. [34][35][36] The scale of production and the emergency of Syria as a narco-state fuelling its war economy, however, is novel.…”