VOICE-OVER:
TWICE A DAY --
THIS SMALL SHELTER IN A CROWDED -- POOR NEIGHBORHOOD SOUTH OF TEHRAN --
OFFERS HOMELESS DRUG ADDICTS A HOT MEAL AND BASIC MEDICAL CARE FOR FREE.
ABOUT 180 DRUG ADDICTS STOP BY EVERY DAY.
INCLUDING ARASH --
WHO SAYS HE WAS A BAG AND SHOE DESIGNER --
BEFORE BECOMING ADDICTED TO HEROIN.
SOUNDBITE (English voice of translator) Arash (no last name given), drug addict:
"Over the past four years I tried several times to quit and once I even managed to remain clean for six months."
ONCE ADDICTED TO HEROIN HIMSELF --
MAJID IS NOW THE SHELTER'S MANGER.
SOUNDBITE (English voice of translator) Majid Mirzaie, Manager of shelter:
"Most of these abusers are addicted to heroin and crystal meth, because it is more available and easier to use than other drugs."
AT THIS THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY REHAB -
PATIENTS AND THERAPISTS LIVE TOGETHER.
THE CENTER'S DAILY ACTIVITIES -- LIKE VOLLEYBALL --
ARE RUN BY THE ADDICTS THEMSELVES --
IN A BID TO ENCOURAGE COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY --
AND REDUCE DEPENDENCY ON PROFESSIONALS.
THE MANAGERS ONLY SUPERVISE THE RECOVERY PROCESS.
NO MEDICINE IS PRESCRIBED FOR THE STIMULANT ADDICTS HERE --
ADDICTS RECEIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSULTATIONS ONLY.
THIS ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER FOR WOMEN --
HOSTS UP TO 40 ADDICTS EVERY MONTH.
SOUNDBITE (English voice of translator) Soheila (no last name given), methamphetamine addict under treatment:
I used meth and took tranquilising pills to help me sleep. It was a terrible experience. It was not until I came to this camp that I realised I had dependency on those pills too."
HARSH PUNISHMENTS -- INCLUDING DEATH SENTENCES --
HAVE FAILED TO LOWER DRUG PRODUCTION IN IRAN.
THE COUNTRY BURNS ABOUT 100 TONS OF SEIZED NARCOTICS EACH YEAR.
UNOFFICIAL REPORTS SAY MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE HERE --
ARE ADDICTED TO VARIOUS DRUGS AND STIMULANTS.
SIGOUT - Bob McCall/Associated Press
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