Drugs have become a real problem in recent years around the world and while we’ve always been aware of the likes of cocaine being shipped in bulk to all four corners, there is a real crisis on many shores, with more drugs being seized and more people suffering from addiction.
Put on the news in the USA today and you’ll encounter the huge opioid crisis going on. It’s a similar story in Australia, while the likes of cocaine, marijuana and heroin are also blights on the streets.
If you have a drug addiction, today you’re one of millions upon millions, and seeking help is so important with the huge rise in overdoses around the world.
But where are the drug capitals of the world?
Iran
You may think the likes of the USA and UK have among the highest problems, but while there is a crisis going on, it’s actually in the Middle East where people are struggling most.
At present, Iran is often considered the drug capital of the world and there’s a higher addiction rate there than anywhere else.
Opioids are the main problem, while crystal meth is also a major issue for Iran. That’s largely down to high levels of unemployment for young people, as well as cheap heroin coming over from Afghanistan.
Afghanistan
And it’s there that also has a major drug problem, and with heroin as you may imagine. It’s the world’s number one producer of opium and it’s believed that around a million people suffer from drug addiction. That’s one in 35 people!
It’s believed that 90% of all heroin used in Europe can be traced back to Afghanistan and at present, there just isn’t enough treatment centres and beds in the nation to cope with the wide scale addiction it has.
Russia
Over the last few months, since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s problem with drugs is believed to have heightened and it’s believed there are over two million heroin users in the country.
Teenagers and young adults are those most vulnerable from addiction and the nation’s officials don’t support harm reduction strategies which is leading to a huge crisis, and one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in the world, due to sharing needles.
Things are only getting worse and it’s believed that many government officials are now turning to drugs and alcohol caused by the stress of the war and the current regime in place.