Effect of law enforcement on drug abuse: a comparison of substance use in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey

Abstract

Given the extent of social dysfunction associated with drug use with the contribution of the law, we examined the current situation of drug use and effect of law enforcement in four Middle Eastern countries of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. This article provides a review of literature on prevalence of substance use in each country and looks at the current drug policy in each of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey (PAIT), to the extent that data is available. It also examines and compares law enforcement and supply/demand reduction policies among PAIT counties. Possible methods of reducing the human and societal harms, based on the regional analysis are presented.

• Addiction
• addiction dependence
• drug use
• mental health
• policy (policies)

Declaration of interest

The authors of this article have no conflict of interest to declare.