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Abstract
The Islamic Republic of Iran, in response to the highest rate of opium consumption in the world, has devoted substantial resources to reduce drug availability and address addiction-related problems. Demand-reduction activities have included residential rehabilitation centers, outpatient treatment centers, and support for addiction recovery mutual aid organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous. The growing role of voluntary nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in supporting addiction recovery in Iran has not been fully described in the professional literature. This report describes one such NGO, Congress 60, which was founded in 1998 and has since grown to 38 branches in Iran with more than 20,000 members. Included in the review are the history, governance, philosophy, and recovery support methods of Congress 60.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Mr. Hossein Dezhakam provided valued assistance in the preparation of this article, and Ehsan Ranjbar provided numerous translations of communications between the author and Dr. Dezhakam.