The spokesperson for Iran's Anti-Narcotics Headquarters warned about the entry of a type of psychoactive substance known as 'NPS' called 'Dastmal' into Iran, while assuring that this substance is not yet being sold on a large scale. On Saturday, December 4, Parviz Afshar stated in an interview with ISNA that this type of psychoactive substance is structurally similar to marijuana, but unlike marijuana, grass, hashish, and cannabis, it is not cultivated but produced in laboratories. He announced that the 'hallucinogenic and destructive effects' of this psychoactive substance are 'much greater' than those of hashish. The spokesperson also mentioned that this substance has only been discovered in one area of Iran and 'at the level of personal use or slightly more' and has not been sold in bulk. He emphasized that the anti-narcotics police have not yet issued an official report on this substance and it may have been brought into the country by just one traveler. Mr. Afshar's comments about the discovery of this substance and his emphasis on the lack of its major entry into the market come at a time when Iranian media had previously reported on the sale of the psychoactive substance known as 'Dastmal.' For instance, Majid Abhari, a social pathologist, stated in an interview with Mehr News Agency in 2011 that a new drug in the form of wet wipes called 'Alseeman' was being sold in the country. According to him, 'this drug wipe is absorbed into the body through the blood and creates false hallucinations.' Ali Moidi, the deputy head of the Anti-Narcotics Headquarters, also announced in August that new psychoactive substances known as 'NPS' have entered the country, which are 'very easy to carry due to their similarity to medication.' Meanwhile, the Iran newspaper, referencing Mr. Moidi's statements, reported that 'NPSs,' including the psychoactive substance 'Gol,' are the second most consumed drug in Iran. Hossein Asadbigi, head of Iran's Social Emergency, also stated that according to official statistics from the Anti-Narcotics Headquarters, 'Gol is the second most consumed drug in the country after opium.' He warned that this psychoactive substance 'has become very common among some Iranian youth and adolescents.' According to the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, in the first six months of 2017, 1,527 people lost their lives due to 'substance abuse' and 'stimulants,' but this figure represents a 4.8% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Iranian Officials Warn About the Entry of Psychoactive Substance 'Dastmal' into the Country
Iranian officials have issued a warning about a new psychoactive substance called 'Dastmal' that resembles marijuana but is produced in laboratories. Although it has been discovered in limited quantities, concerns are rising about its potential spread among youth in Iran, especially as previous reports indicate its sale in the country.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iranian officials have raised alarms about a new psychoactive substance called 'Dastmal' that is similar to marijuana but is laboratory-produced. Although it has only been found in limited quantities, there are concerns about its potential spread among the youth in Iran.
- Dastmal is reported to have stronger hallucinogenic effects than traditional drugs like hashish.
- The substance has been discovered in only one area of Iran and is not yet widely available.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a long-standing issue with drug addiction, particularly with opium, and the emergence of synthetic drugs poses new challenges for authorities and public health.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%