Responding to Rising Substance Misuse in Iraq

Aqrawi, Rawnak; Humphreys, Keith

doi:10.3109/10826080902963415

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The findings from this meeting suggest that since the time of the reports by Aqrawi and Humphreys (2009) and Al-Diwan (2010) on drug use in Iraq, as summarized in Rawson (2011), some aspects of the drug-use situation in Iraq have remained relatively stable, while there have been significant changes in other areas. The psychoactive substances most widely used in Iraq continue to be alcohol and the following prescription drugs: benzodiazepines, benzhexol, codeine, and a variety of psychiatric medications.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…In previous reports about drug use in Iraq (Aqrawi & Humphreys, 2009), prescription medications were the drugs most widely misused, with benzhexol, benzodiazepines, and codeine being the drugs most commonly reported. The primary source of these drugs was pharmacies in Iraq, many of which provided these medications without the necessary prescriptions.…”

Section: Alcohol/drug Use Information Presented At the Iraq-cewgmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drug and Alcohol Use in Iraq: Findings of the Inaugural Iraqi Community Epidemiological Workgroup

Al-Hemiary

Al-Diwan

Hasson³

et al. 2014

Substance Use & Misuse

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Background Reports suggest increased use of alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs in Iraq in the past decade, which may portend an increase in substance use disorders (SUDs) and, thus, an increased need for treatments. Objectives/Methods To develop better information on the nature and extent of drug and alcohol use in Iraq, the Iraqi Ministry of Health, with support from the U.S. government and technical assistance from U.S. researchers, held an initial Iraqi Community Epidemiology Work Group meeting in May 2012 in Baghdad. Drug seizure data was the primary data source, provided by Iraqi law enforcement and customs officials. Ministry of Health officials presented data from hospitals (medical and psychiatric), outpatient clinics, and health centers, as well as from surveys of medical patients, pharmacy patients, and prisoners. Results The data suggest that the most commonly used substances are alcohol, hashish, and prescription drugs. New drugs in Iraq's drug use scene include the amphetamine-type substances “Captagon” and crystal methamphetamine, and the painkiller tramadol. Seizures of Captagon, methamphetamine, Afghan opium, teriac (a crude form of opium), and heroin at border crossings may indicate that these substances are becoming more popular. A plan for an ongoing program of CEWG meetings was developed. Conclusions Drug and alcohol use in Iraq is increasing and new drugs are appearing in the country. An ongoing program for monitoring drug use trends and informing Iraqi policy makers is important for public health planning, including the development of strategies to identify citizens with SUDs and provide them treatment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Alcohol/drug Use Information Presented At the Iraq-cewgmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drug and Alcohol Use in Iraq: Findings of the Inaugural Iraqi Community Epidemiological Workgroup

Al-Hemiary

Al-Diwan

Hasson³

et al. 2014

Substance Use & Misuse

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“…Estimates reported here are likely conservative. In particular, the low 30-day prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse disorders (0.1%) may have been influenced by the fact that (i) substance use is generally forbidden in the Qur'an, and/or (ii) prior to 2003, substance-related criminal charges resulted in harsh punishments (Aqrawi and Humphreys, 2009). Second, physical disorders were assessed with a simple self-report chronic disorders checklist rather than medical examination or abstracting medical records.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of common mental and physical disorders in days out of role in the Iraqi general population: Results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

Al‐Hamzawi

Rosellini

Lindberg

et al. 2014

Journal of Psychiatric Research

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In an effort to support mental health policy planning efforts in conjunction with the reconstruction of Iraq, a nationally representative face-to-face household survey was carried out that assessed the prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders in the Iraqi population. A total of 4,332 adult (ages 18+) respondents were interviewed (95.2% response rate). The current report presents data on the role impairments (number of days out-of-role in the past 30 days) associated with the nine mental disorders assessed in the survey in comparison to the impairments associated with ten chronic physical disorders also assessed in the survey. These disorders were all assessed with the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Days out-of-role was assessed with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Both individual-level and societal-level effects of the disorders were estimated. Strongest individual-level predictors were bipolar and drug abuse disorders (176-95 days per year), with mental disorders making up five of the seven strongest predictors. The strongest population-level predictors were headache/migraine and arthritis (22-12% population proportions). Overall population proportions were 57% of days out-of-role due to the chronic physical disorders considered here and 18% for the mental disorders. Despite commonly-occurring mental disorders accounting for more individual-level days out-of-role than the physical disorders, mental disorders are much less likely to receive treatment in Iraq (e.g., due to stigma). These results highlight the need for culturally tailored mental health prevention and treatment programs in Iraq.

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“…Studies on populations subjected to conflict and displacement suggest that exposure to war and violence increases the risk for substance use . There is growing concern about the impacts of conflict and war on substance use in Iraq . Recent community‐based information about prevalence and patterns of tobacco, alcohol and drug use in Iraq is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reported substance use in Iraq: findings from the Iraqi National Household Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use, 2014

et al. 2017

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Responding to Rising Substance Misuse in Iraq

Cited by 21 publications

References 1 publication

Drug and Alcohol Use in Iraq: Findings of the Inaugural Iraqi Community Epidemiological Workgroup

Drug and Alcohol Use in Iraq: Findings of the Inaugural Iraqi Community Epidemiological Workgroup

The role of common mental and physical disorders in days out of role in the Iraqi general population: Results from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

Self-reported substance use in Iraq: findings from the Iraqi National Household Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use, 2014

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