Narcotic sales on rise in Syria
Syrians are trying to escape deteriorating economic conditions and security pressures from government forces in the regime-controlled areas by resorting to tranquilizers and sedatives.
DAMASCUS, Syria — Wafaa Keshi, head of the Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate, warned against an increase in demand for tranquilizers among Syrians.
In a press statement distributed to media outlets close to the Syrian government on Aug. 23, Keshi explained that Syrians are increasingly turning to narcotics mainly because of the acute crises and wars plaguing Syria and triggering mental illness.
Keshi said the Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate does not have accurate statistics on the rate of consumption of these drugs, stressing that the Ministry of Health and the syndicate’s subcommittees have detected violations on the part of some pharmacies that are selling these narcotics without a prescription.
She stressed that war victims and survivors with permanent disabilities need psychological treatment under medical supervision.
