Is Global Addiction Getting Worse? : A MENA Perspective
Addiction is no longer just a health crisis—it is a socioeconomic catastrophe with devastating global repercussions. The evidence is overwhelming: addiction rates are soaring, synthetic drugs are proliferating, and more lives are being lost to substance abuse. The crisis is global, but its impact is deeply localized, particularly in regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where geopolitical instability, economic hardship, and evolving social norms are fueling the problem.
The Escalating Global Crisis
The rise in drug use worldwide is undeniable, with several key factors driving this trend. Increased availability of synthetic drugs, economic hardships, and shifting societal attitudes have all contributed to a growing addiction epidemic. In 2018, an estimated 269 million people used drugs—30% more than in 2009. The opioid crisis remains at the forefront, with deaths related to opioid use disorders surging by 71% over the past decade. [https://www.unodc.org/res/WDR-2023/WDR23_Exsum_fin_DP.pdf]
Economic instability and mental health crises—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—have intensified addiction rates. Lockdowns not only increased stress and isolation but also disrupted global drug supply chains, leading users to consume more potent and dangerous substances. Meanwhile, methamphetamine use has skyrocketed, with 35 million users worldwide, particularly concentrated in Southeast Asia. [https://apnews.com/article/crystal-methamphetamine-golden-triangle-shan-ketamine-cb5de08da123b150210793a667c0c149]
While the United States remains a focal point of the opioid epidemic—with overdose deaths rising from 47,600 in 2017 to 92,000 in 2020—the crisis extends far beyond North America. Iran, Afghanistan, and Brazil all face severe addiction problems due to economic distress, trafficking networks, and inadequate healthcare responses [https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db522.htm]
The MENA Context: A Growing Challenge
In the MENA region, addiction has traditionally been a taboo subject, but the crisis can no longer be ignored. The region has seen rising drug use, particularly among youth, driven by a combination of economic hardship, social change, and increased drug trafficking. Iran, for instance, has an estimated 2.8 million drug users, primarily addicted to opioids. Afghanistan, historically the world’s largest opium producer, now faces severe addiction issues among its own population due to prolonged war and economic collapse. [https://www.brookings.edu/articles/out-with-the-old-in-with-the-old-irans-revolution-drug-policies-and-global-drug-markets/]
In the Gulf nations, affluence and changing cultural attitudes have led to higher rates of recreational drug use. Meanwhile, North Africa is grappling with a surge in cannabis and psychotropic drug consumption, especially in Morocco and Algeria. Captagon, a potent amphetamine known as the “poor man’s cocaine,” has become a major problem in conflict-ridden areas, fueling addiction and funding militant groups.
Key Drivers of Rising Addiction in MENA
- Economic and Political Instability – Countries suffering from war, conflict, and economic crises—such as Syria, Lebanon, and Libya—have seen drug addiction spike due to stress, displacement, and lack of access to mental health services. For refugees and internally displaced persons, drug use often becomes a coping mechanism for trauma.
- Drug Trafficking Networks – The region is a critical transit hub for heroin from Afghanistan and Captagon smuggled through Syria and Lebanon. The easy availability of drugs has contributed to rising addiction rates. Captagon, in particular, is not just a drug problem but a geopolitical one—its trade is closely linked to terror financing and militia activity.
- Technology and Dark Web Markets – While law enforcement has cracked down on traditional drug smuggling routes, the rise of encrypted messaging apps and dark web marketplaces has made drugs more accessible than ever. Even in highly regulated Gulf states, synthetic drugs like MDMA and fentanyl analogs are increasingly being ordered online, making enforcement far more challenging.
- Changing Social Attitudes – While drug use was once highly stigmatized in conservative societies, younger generations are increasingly exposed to global trends, including recreational drug use, through social media and pop culture. The normalization of substances like cannabis and ecstasy in Western entertainment has contributed to shifting perceptions among MENA youth.
- Limited Rehabilitation Infrastructure – Many MENA nations lack sufficient treatment and rehabilitation centers, and drug addiction is often treated as a criminal offense rather than a public health issue. For women, the situation is even worse—rehabilitation centers are often male-dominated, and female drug users face extreme social stigma, making them less likely to seek help.
- The Role of Big Pharma and Prescription Drug Policies – While illicit drug markets dominate discussions on addiction, the role of pharmaceutical companies cannot be ignored. The U.S. opioid crisis was fueled by aggressive marketing and overprescription of painkillers like OxyContin. In MENA, the growing abuse of prescription opioids like tramadol and pregabalin, particularly in Egypt and the Gulf, signals an emerging crisis that requires stricter regulations. [https://www.adpolice.gov.ae/en/Media-Center/News/2021/06/30/Abu-Dhabi-Police-Discusses-Risks-of-Drug-Tramadol-in-a-Non-Medical-Uses]
The Pandemic’s Impact on Addiction
COVID-19 further exacerbated addiction rates in MENA. Lockdowns led to increased stress, unemployment, and economic instability, all of which fueled drug use. Additionally, border closures disrupted trafficking routes, prompting dealers to introduce new and more dangerous synthetic drugs into the market. Rehabilitation services became harder to access, leaving many users untreated.
The Environmental and Economic Cost of Addiction
The illicit drug trade has severe environmental and economic consequences. Deforestation, chemical waste from drug labs, and economic destabilization due to cartel activity are often overlooked aspects of the addiction crisis. Coca production in South America has led to deforestation, while synthetic drug labs in Syria and Lebanon leave toxic residues in water sources. Meanwhile, the financial burden of addiction—lost productivity, healthcare costs, and law enforcement expenditures—amounts to billions of dollars annually in MENA.
The Role of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in MENA
Many MENA countries rely on religious and community-based approaches to addiction treatment, emphasizing spiritual healing and moral rehabilitation. While such programs offer social support, they often lack medical interventions such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and evidence-based therapy. Bridging the gap between faith-based recovery and scientific addiction treatment remains a major challenge.
Addressing the Crisis: Global and Regional Responses
Governments worldwide are taking various approaches to combat addiction. The U.S. and Europe have expanded harm reduction policies, emphasizing treatment over criminalization. In contrast, many MENA countries continue to impose harsh penalties for drug offenses while offering limited rehabilitation options.
However, some positive steps are being taken. The UAE has introduced new rehabilitation programs and decriminalized minor drug offenses to encourage treatment rather than punishment [https://nrc.gov.ae/]. Saudi Arabia has intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking while launching school-based awareness programs. Iran, despite its strict drug laws, operates one of the region’s largest harm reduction programs, offering methadone treatment and needle exchange services. [https://www.unodc.org/islamicrepublicofiran/en/unodc-supports-monitoring-and-evaluation-leading-to-more-effective-community-based-drug-prevention-in-iran.html]
Alternative Approaches: Lessons from Other Regions
MENA nations could benefit from looking at successful models elsewhere.
- Portugal’s Decriminalization Model: Portugal decriminalized drug use in 2001 and instead focused on treatment, leading to lower overdose and addiction rates [?]. But now having doubts!: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/07/portugal-drugs-decriminalization-heroin-crack/]
- Switzerland’s Safe Injection Sites: By providing supervised environments for drug use, Switzerland has reduced overdose deaths and improved rehabilitation outcomes.[https://inhsu.org/what-we-do/advocating-for-change/innovative-models-of-hcv-care-films/connecting-with-care-switzerland/]
- Canada’s Fentanyl Testing Kits: To combat synthetic opioid deaths, Canada has made fentanyl test kits widely available, allowing users to check for deadly contaminants before consuming drugs. [https://www.btnx.com/harmreduction]
Conclusion
The global addiction crisis is undeniably worsening, and MENA is not immune. Economic hardship, political instability, and evolving social norms have created the perfect storm for rising drug abuse. While efforts to combat addiction are underway, they must be scaled up with a focus on prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation rather than purely punitive measures.
The addiction epidemic is not just a story of crime and punishment—it is a public health emergency. To combat it, the world must rethink its approach, prioritizing treatment over incarceration, education over stigma, and international collaboration over isolation. MENA, like the rest of the world, stands at a crossroads. The question is whether it will act before the crisis spirals further out of control.