Media in Iran reported based on official statistics that in the first three months of this year, 1,430 people lost their lives due to substance abuse in Iran, of which 786 died from drug medications. According to the same report, the death toll from drug medications in spring this year has increased by 27% compared to the same period last year, which health officials in Iran attribute mainly to 'ignorance of the side effects and consequences and self-medication.' According to the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, Maryam Akhgari, head of the Quality Control Center of the Forensic Medicine Organization, emphasized that 'some drug medications that are sold in pharmacies with the Ministry of Health's permission' must be provided to applicants only with a valid doctor's prescription due to 'causing irreparable side effects.' This official in forensic medicine stated that the 'self-medication of drug medications' without a doctor's order and supervision leads to 'dependency, addiction, and sometimes death.' According to this report, a total of 1,430 people lost their lives in Iran this spring due to substance abuse, of which 1,218 were men and 212 were women. The statistics of addiction-related deaths in Iran also increased by 14% in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year. Of the total substance abuse deaths this spring, 173 were due to drug use, 40 from stimulants, 786 from drug medications, 215 from simultaneous use of drugs and stimulants with drug medications, and 163 from simultaneous abuse of multiple categories of substances and medications.
27% Increase; 786 Deaths from Drug Use in Spring This Year
In the first quarter of this year, Iran saw a 27% increase in deaths from drug medications, with 786 fatalities attributed to their misuse. Health officials cite ignorance and self-medication as primary causes, highlighting the need for stricter prescription regulations. This alarming trend underscores the growing public health crisis in Iran regarding substance abuse.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
In the first quarter of this year, Iran reported a 27% increase in deaths from drug medications, totaling 786 fatalities. Health officials attribute this rise to self-medication and lack of awareness about the dangers of these drugs.
- 1,430 total deaths due to substance abuse in spring 2023, with 786 from drug medications.
- Deaths from drug medications increased by 27% compared to the same period last year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has long struggled with substance abuse issues, exacerbated by social and economic factors. The misuse of both illegal drugs and prescription medications poses a serious health risk.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%