Fire at Addiction Treatment Camp in Langarud Leaves 32 Dead; Center Director Arrested

Following a fire at an addiction treatment camp in Langarud County that resulted in 32 deaths and several injuries, the director of the center has been arrested. According to Tasnim News Agency, Ismail Sadegh Niyarki, the head of the Gilan Province Judiciary, announced the arrest of the director of the addiction treatment center in the Keydbar region of Langarud County. Mohammad Jalayi, the political deputy of the Gilan governor, stated that the initial investigation identified the cause of the fire as a heater catching fire, which then spread to the curtains and subsequently engulfed the entire building. In this context, Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior, called for decisive and legal action against those responsible for the incident during a phone call with the Gilan governor. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, also requested the identification of the factors behind this incident and action against them. According to media reports, Babak Yektapars, the director of the National Emergency Medical Services, reported on Friday, November 3, that a fire occurred at one of the addiction treatment camps in Langarud County at 5:55 AM, adding that five individuals were also missing, and investigations are ongoing. The conditions of addiction treatment camps in Iran have been a subject of controversy, with observers criticizing the treatment methods and services provided at these centers. For example, ISNA news agency reported in February 2021 about a video circulating on social media that depicted 'the sounds of several addicts struggling in a pool of water on one side and the moans and cries of another addict being beaten on the other.' According to this news agency, the video was related to an addiction treatment camp in Qalat, Shiraz. Following the release of this video and widespread reactions, the public relations manager of the Welfare Organization in Fars Province announced that this center was immediately identified and closed in collaboration with the judiciary. There have also been protests by addiction treatment professionals against the Ministry of Health's performance in front of the ministry building. The fire at the addiction treatment camp in Langarud left 27 dead and 18 injured. About 52% of cannabis users are aged 15 to 29. A social crisis in Iran; a welfare official speaks of the rise in the use of 'hashish and crystal.' A 27% increase; 786 deaths from drug use in the spring of this year.