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ISRAEL-OPT: Drug abuse on the rise in Gaza - specialists
16 Jan 2009 09:42:13 GMT
 Source: IRIN

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RAMALLAH, 16 January 2009 (IRIN) - Some doctors and pharmacists in Gaza believe drug abuse has increased dramatically in the enclave since June 2007 when Hamas took over. Since that time, the borders have been effectively closed and unemployment has soared to over 40 percent.

"Drug use has increased due to the closure and stress of the situation," said psychiatrist Tysir Diab, clinical superviser of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme which operates three clinics in Gaza. "Young people who are unemployed, or who stay at home while receiving a salary, started to look to painkillers for relief."

Some 75,000 Palestinian Authority employees, including teachers and medical professionals paid by the Fatah leadership in Ramallah, were ordered to stay at home or face losing their salary after Hamas took power.

"Tramadol is one of the most popular drugs," said Diab. "It relieves psychosomatic symptoms related to stress, like headaches and abdominal pain, as well as depression and nervousness."

He reckons some 10 percent of young adults are abusing drugs in Gaza.

"It's a strong painkiller that requires a prescription," said pharmacist Amar al-Hashim, 29, from El-Halou Pharm, one of the largest private pharmacies in Gaza. "It's the biggest seller, even among young teenagers."

Tramadol is an addictive opioid painkiller, and in a short time a user will face withdrawal symptoms, according to al-Hashim.

Drugs enter via tunnel

Some supplies of the drug are smuggled into Gaza from Egypt through tunnels. Their lower price and availability without prescription make them very popular, said al-Hashim.

"I am afraid to drive so I take Tramadol. Otherwise, when I see bodies in the street I panic," Sami, a 35-year old taxi driver from Gaza City, told IRIN in December 2008.

Other anti-anxiety medications and Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, which are also anti-depressants like Prozac, are available without prescription and are equally popular.

"Sales have tripled over the past year and a half," said pharmacist al-Hashim, and "usage has increased since 27 December [when the Israeli offensive began]. People can't move and are trapped at home."

Nasser, a 26-year-old accountant from Gaza City, told IRIN by phone that he takes Tramadol daily due to increased stress and anxiety over the past month.

"I can't meet my basic needs, like bread and electricity, and that makes me severely depressed, and the air strikes make it worse," said Nasser. "I have insomnia; my house is between the ministries and the Islamic University. Hundreds of missiles have been dropped in the area."

es/ar/cb

© IRIN. All rights reserved. More humanitarian news and analysis: http://www.IRINnews.org


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Last updated:Fri Jan 16 09:42:55 2009