Iran’s major historical asset is also a major weakness for their fight against drugs.
For two millenia, Iran’s position on the Silk Road has meant a massive amount of trade goods passing through the country, but as they have found out, their position also makes them possibly the world’s largest transit point for opium and heroin.
Being the one of the key countries between the growing regions of south west Asia, including Afghanistan, and the major drug markets in the Gulf and Western Europe puts them in the heart of the action.
This week, police seized 144 kilograms of opium in the province of Isfahan alone. In fact, the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention referred to Iran as having set the world record for drug seizures.
Despite the obvious successes that their law enforcement enjoys, the massive amounts of drugs that make it through the country are still a major problem for the rest of the world. It is pretty clear that the mamoth task of policing the trafficking of drugs through the vast, underpopulated regions of the country as well as the traditional trading corridors is a task that is beyond the means and capabilities of Iran’s humble resources.
Moreover, the drugs that actually stop in Iran are also a major problem as the country boasts an incredible statistic of almost 2 million addicts. In a country of only 68 million, that is some figure.
In a world serious about the War on Drugs, then Iran, whose commitment to end the drug trade is self evident, would be a natural and willing ally.
Don’t hold your breath.
