Buying Ecstasy Tehran

__________________________

📍 Verified store!

📍 Guarantees! Quality! Reviews!

__________________________

▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼ ▼▼

▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲

Buying Ecstasy Tehran

Iran J Psychiatry Behav Sci. The illegal use of amphetamine-type stimulants ATS is a global health concern with medical, psychiatric and social impacts. The use of ATS is a major health concern amongst the Persian population. The traditional pattern of illicit drug use in Iran is opium and the main route of drug use is smoking 1. However, in the recent years i. Although Iran has the only universal methadone treatment system in Western Asia 2 , ATS use is a health problem in Iran, which cannot be treated with methadone maintenance treatment 3 , 4. Amphetamine-Type Stimulants include a group of many drugs such as methamphetamine, ecstasy, and methylphenidate Ritalin tablets. Some ATS such as methylphenidate are prescribed for the treatment of medical and psychiatric problems such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder yet they can be misused with no medical prescription. This issue can result in dependence 2. Amphetamine-Type Stimulants dependence such as methamphetamine dependence is a relapsing condition with no approved pharmacotherapies 4 , 5. Furthermore, ATS-dependence is associated with high-risk behaviors such as violence, psychosis and suicide 1 - 5. Researches attempting to find an effective medication are ongoing and cognitive-behavioral treatments have remained as the main treatment options for ATS dependents 4. Amphetamine-Type Stimulants dependence has numerous reasons. For example, a recent study of males and females injecting methamphetamine users in Tehran indicated that methamphetamine dependence was associated with living with sexual partners, long duration of dependence, and lack of participation in step meetings and psychological sessions 6. Literature is not well documented on the prevalence of ATS dependence and the reasons associated with this problem in Iran. Furthermore, ATS treatment barriers have not been documented in Iran. To address this gap in the literature, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ATS dependence, the reasons associated with this problem and the treatment barriers in a group of general adult population in 22 districts of Tehran. Rapid situation assessment RSA was selected as the main study design in This was because of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and using a mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology 7. Furthermore, conducting a comprehensive survey in Tehran was time-consuming and expensive because the city is vast and populous. This guideline has been developed by the United Nations office for drug control and crime prevention as a standard method for conducting RSA 7. The study sites included 22 districts in Tehran; via the following official information resources, 22 districts with considerable rates of illegal use of ATS in the past two years were identified. After determining the study population, Open-Epi software was used to determine the sample size in each district. After determining the total required sample size using this software, convenience sampling was used as the main method of sample taking in each district of Tehran. Eligibility criteria included age of 18 - 65 years old, male or female gender, living in the same districs where the participants were recruited for at least three months prior to recruitment and taking any stimulant with no medical prescription. Dependence on ATS was defined as the daily use of any ATS within the past twelve months for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical purposes in Iran. This definition was based on the recent American diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders 8. Based on the study guideline 7 , to increase the chance of finding ATS dependents in each district, 10 to 12 former ATS users with good communication abilities were recruited and trained. This group facilitated finding eligible participants in each district. Overall, 35 well-trained interviewers were recruited to collect quantitative and qualitative data. They were general practitioners, social workers or registered psychologists with high qualifications in interview techniques. A checklist was designed with the collaboration of three senior drug researchers at the Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Centre in Tehran. The checklist included details of demographics, illegal use of ATS and qualitative questions about the reasons of ATS use and treatment barriers. The checklist was piloted on 30 ATS dependents before conducting the study. The validity of the checklist was considered with reviewing the relevant literature in the field of ATS use 5 , 6. The study was conducted between September and January Participation was confidential and voluntary. Consent forms were signed by participants. The study had one quantitative section, which included participants and one qualitative section, which included 60 interviews. All interviews were conducted in pre-allocated interview rooms in the districts. The FGDs consisted of six to ten people. Key informant interviewing was also conducted. Audio-taping was implemented with prior permission. Overall, ten key informants KIs were interviewed. Key Informants included health professionals, who worked with ATS dependents at drug treatment centers or other professionals such as the police. Quantitative data were analyzed using Chi-square test, independent samples t-test and logistic regression in SPSS version Qualitative data were analyzed using Atlas-ti qualitative software. Of the 22 districts, districts one and three were of high socio-economic status. Overall, seven districts 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 22 were middle class and the remaining districts had low socio-economic status. Overall, participants were recruited from 22 districts. District 11 had the lowest reported prevalence rate of ATS use 1. More than half of the participants were males The age range and the mean age SD of all participants were 18 to 60 years and 32 SD 11 years, respectively. Overall, participants 4. Overall, A considerable number of participants reported that they experienced low mood The qualitative analyses of the interviews showed multiple reasons associated with the illicit use of ATS and different treatment barriers as follows:. A theme that repeatedly emerged from the narratives was a desire to increase a performance. Participants repeatedly described the roles of physical energy, concentration, and job-related performances as their reasons associated with current ATS use. Some guys use ecstasy for energy and sex. Furthermore, participants repeatedly explained how their misconceptions of ATS as non-addictive drugs resulted in self-treatment for psychiatric problems. I have some clients, who misuse ATS for low mood or anxiety at this clinic. Participant accounts indicated how beauty-related issues resulted in current ATS use. In addition, further data analysis highlighted that some beauty salons had recommended ATS as a way to improve quality of skin. Some people think Shisheh is good for skin. Participant narratives underscored how some ATS users used opiates before initial ATS use and believed that only opiates such as opium, opium residues and heroin were addictive. Further qualitative analyses of narratives indicated that most participants did not have an adequate amount of information about the addictive effects of ATS. As a result, some of them used ATS to substitute them with opiate use. Among participants, who were dependent on illicit ATS use, narratives described how poor knowledge of illicit ATS treatment services in the community prevented them from treatment entry. Further qualitative analyses of the narratives demonstrated that although, ATS treatment was a necessity for some participants, poor information about ATS treatment centers hampered treatment entry. I know I need treatment but who can help me? Among participants, who were dependent on ATS use, their narratives described how poor knowledge of the side effects of ATS use prevented them from treatment entry. Further qualitative analyses of the narratives indicated that although ATS treatment was a necessity for some of them, poor information of the addictive nature of ATS use and ignoring treatment primarily hampered treatment entry. I can quit any time I want. Participant narratives suggested that stigma prevented treatment entry for ATS use. The study findings demonstrated that some participants perceived the necessity of treatment but social stigma prevented them from treatment entry. I want treatment but what will happen to me if I go for treatment. The study indicated that ATS dependence was present in the study regions in Tehran. This was a new trend of illicit drug use at the time of conducting the study 2. The study results indicated that ATS dependents were more likely to be younger, single, educated, unemployed and with more unstable living conditions compared with non-ATS users. Such characteristics were likely to predispose this group to misuse of ATS. A research study indicated that participants with ATS dependence were more likely to be single and jobless than recreational ATS users 3. These demographic characteristics should be considered in designing and implementing prevention and educational programs for this group in Iran. Studies have indicated that cognitive-behavioral interventions are effective in the treatment of ATS users 9 , Such treatment interventions should be provided for this group in Iran. In fact, it was likely that most of them had no actual knowledge of the side effects of ATS use. Their misconceptions were likely to originate from lack of knowledge or poor ATS education. Poor knowledge of the side effects of ATS can be a strong motivation to self-treatment with ATS use or its common use in the community 11 - Therefore, the provision of educational programs is suggested for this group. Key Informants repeatedly emphasized the roles of mass-media in ATS education and prevention. Health policy makers should consider ATS education as a health priority. Studies have shown that drug education is necessary to prevent the epidemic of any type of drug 17 - Furthermore, law enforcement and police efforts should target ceasing ATS production and distribution in the Persian community on a large scale. Poor knowledge of available ATS treatment services was frequently reported as an important barrier to treatment entry. A study on Puerto Rican injecting drug users found that perceived barriers to drug treatment played strong roles to treatment entry Opiate use treatment is available in Iran but ATS use was a new health concern at the time of conducting the study. Therefore, participants were likely to not know about the availability of ATS treatment in the community. On the basis of the study findings, we suggest policy recommendations for increasing access to treatment for ATS users in the community. It is important for people to have access to appropriate ATS treatment facilities in the Persian community. The role of mass-media, especially television in informing people about the treatment facilities for ATS use treatment in the community, is emphasized. Schools, universities, educational centers and hospitals should also contribute to informing people about the side effects of ATS use and available treatments in the community. Poor knowledge of the side effects of ATS use and considering ATS as non-addictive drugs were strong barriers to treatment entry. A study indicated that poor knowledge of the side effects of illicit drug use was associated with its easy use Participants were likely to traditionally consider opiate use as a health problem only while ATS use was a new concern in Iran at the time of conducting the study. To improve service delivery, treatment services should re-orient their services to better address the needs of ATS users in Iran. People should be informed that ATS use could be as addictive as opiate use. Finally, the study results indicated that stigma had a detrimental impact on ATS treatment entry. This issue was due to the new nature of ATS use at the time of conducting the study in Iran. A study in the USA indicated that stigma among people with substance use disorders hampered treatment entry These study results highlight the need for more work on stigma due to its important role in preventing treatment entry for the ATS use problem. The results of this RSA highlight the importance of understanding the reasons associated with ATS dependence and treatment barriers. As the first report from Western Asia, especially the Persian Gulf region, the findings of this study highlight the necessity of the provision of effective laws against ATS producers and vendors, as well as ATS education, prevention and treatment programs for the population of Tehran. The use of ATS without medical prescription was a hidden activity in Iran during years and As a result, it was difficult to conduct a household survey. Therefore, the study was limited to a RSA. Conducting household surveys is suggested. Drug use treatment and harm reduction programs in Iran: A unique model of health in the most populated Persian Gulf country. Asian J Psychiatr. Methamphetamine use and treatment in Iran: A systematic review from the most populated Persian Gulf country. Methamphetamine use among Iranian heroin kerack-dependent women: implications for treatment. Alam Mehrjerdi Z. Crystal in Iran: methamphetamine or heroin kerack. Djamshidian A. Neurobehavioral Sequelae of Psychostimulant Abuse. Int Rev Neurobiol. Correlates of shared methamphetamine injection among methamphetamine-injecting treatment seekers: the first report from Iran. The guidelines for the development and implementation of drug abuse rapid situation assessments and responses. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Brief cognitive behavioural interventions for regular amphetamine users: a step in the right direction. A comparison of contingency management and cognitive-behavioral approaches for stimulant-dependent individuals. Methamphetamine use and methadone maintenance treatment: an emerging problem in the drug addiction treatment network in Iran. Int J Drug Policy. Quality of life among treatment seeking methamphetamine-dependent individuals. Am J Addict. Lashkaripour K, Torbati E. Methamphetamine dependency. Current research on methamphetamine: epidemiology, medical and psychiatric effects, treatment and harm reduction efforts. Addict Health. Methamphetamine use among patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment in iran; a threat for harm reduction and treatment strategies: A qualitative study. Prevalence and complications of drug-induced seizures in Baharloo hospital, Tehran, Iran. Iran J Toxicol. The methamphetamine problem in the United States. Annu Rev Public Health. Will the methamphetamine problem go away? J Addict Dis. Methamphetamine dependence and human immunodeficiency virus risk behavior. J Subst Abuse Treat. Porter J. Subst Use Misuse. Treatment utilization and barriers to treatment: results of a survey of dependent methamphetamine users. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. J Addict Behav Ther Rehabil. We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience. They also allow us to analyze user behavior in order to constantly improve the website for you. However, there are no literature reports on ATS dependence in the community. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ATS-dependence, the reasons associated with this problem and the treatment barriers among a group of adults in 22 districts of Tehran. Materials and Methods: A rapid situation assessment was conducted. A mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology was applied. A researcher-made checklist was designed to collect data. Results: In total, individuals were randomly recruited and interviewed. Among them, participants were ATS-dependent. A desire to increase performance and reduce psychiatric problems, beauty-related issues and a desire to stop opiate use were the main reasons for the illegal use of ATS. Poor knowledge of ATS treatment services in the community, poor knowledge of the side effects of the illegal use of ATS and stigma were the main current treatment barriers. Conclusions: The study results indicated that ATS-dependence was present among the study participants. This issue necessitates treatment, which should be considered by health policy makers. Prevention programs should be provided on the large scale in the Persian community to prevent ATS use and dependence. Background The illegal use of amphetamine-type stimulants ATS is a global health concern with medical, psychiatric and social impacts. Objectives Literature is not well documented on the prevalence of ATS dependence and the reasons associated with this problem in Iran. Materials and Methods 3. Study Site and Sample Collection The study sites included 22 districts in Tehran; via the following official information resources, 22 districts with considerable rates of illegal use of ATS in the past two years were identified. Hospitals especially emergency rooms, 2. Drug treatment and harm reduction canters, 3. Courts, 4. Prisons, 5. Police reports of arrest figures and ATS confiscation, 6. Official reports of ATS-related deaths, 7. Crime-related reports, 8. Police reports of ATS use and vending and 9. Interview Team Based on the study guideline 7 , to increase the chance of finding ATS dependents in each district, 10 to 12 former ATS users with good communication abilities were recruited and trained. Study Measures A checklist was designed with the collaboration of three senior drug researchers at the Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Centre in Tehran. Study Procedure The study was conducted between September and January Data Analysis Quantitative data were analyzed using Chi-square test, independent samples t-test and logistic regression in SPSS version Results 4. Participants in Each Study Site Of the 22 districts, districts one and three were of high socio-economic status. Table 1. Table 2. Table 3. Variables Characteristics No. References 1. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4. Leave a comment here:. Cookie Setting We use cookies to provide you with the best possible experience.

Buying Ecstasy Tehran

Introduction and objective: Globally, children who work and live on the streets are at higher risk of undesired behavioral health outcomes, including increased drug use and abuse. Considering the rapid growth of this population in Iran and the lack of program planning that is partly due to a scarcity of research-based information, this study was conducted in to investigate drug use among street children in Tehran. Data were also obtained from 10 focus group discussions with street children using semi-structured questionnaires and 27 in-depth interviews with key informants in governmental, non-governmental, and international organizations. Results: The variation in age at first use, type of drugs, and pattern of drug use were found based on ethnicity. Consuming of Alcohol was reported to be more among an ethnic group. Drug use problems were commonly described among families of street children. Children whose parents had drug-use problems described using drugs earlier than other children. Informants reported that families with drug-related problems used children for procurement of drugs. Children themselves described using drugs to cope with stress, and to reduce physical and psychological stressors and problems, such as fatigue, sadness, and pressure, resulting from frequent failures in life. Conclusion: These results suggest that intervention and prevention programs dealing with drug use of street children in Iran should include family and peers when addressing drug use by street children. The phenomenon of street children is a major concern of the international community 1. Due to its hidden and isolated nature, it is difficult to estimate the exact prevalence of street children; however, the number appears to be tens of millions of children worldwide, which is probably on rise due to the rapid growth of the global population and urbanization 2. In , UNICEF classified street children into two general groups: 1 children who work on the streets to earn a living but are in contact with their families and have a sense of belonging to a family, although this degree of contact varies from once every few months to just about every day. These children often have no family or are completely detached from a family. There is one common component in all the definitions of the phenomenon of street children: all these children spend the major fraction of their time on the streets. Different studies report a variety of causal factors associated with becoming a street child: socioeconomic factors and poverty 4 — 7 , familial factors 6 such as low parental income and education, familial disruption, family size, decrease of family role in problem-solving for children, especially in urban areas, natural disasters, urbanization 6 dropping out of school, unplanned migration, wars 6 , peer pressure, and the role of friends in persuading children to leave home and live on the streets 8. There are no official statistics on the prevalence of street children in Iran, but it was unofficially estimated that 20, street children were living in Tehran, the capital city 9. Most of the children belong to low-income families of different age groups; many of them are immigrants and work in the streets of big cities, in streets with high volumes of traffic Working and living on the streets cause countless dangerous consequences and place children at high risk for a range of poor outcomes, including drug use and HIV infection 11 , The risk of HIV infection among street children may be especially high due to marginalized social and economic situations, as well as substance use and other high-risk behaviors Several studies have been conducted in Iran on health issues of street children 2 , 15 — 22 ; yet, only a handful has addressed the prevalence of alcohol and drug use among this group of children. A study on working children in Tehran found that The present qualitative study was conducted to explore drug use behaviors of street children from the point of view of key informants and street children. This paper is part of a larger study of the rapid assessment and response RAR investigation of high-risk behaviors that seeks to present the status of drug use among street children; some of its results have been published before 24 , This method is useful for obtaining information required for the design and development of health interventions and programs, and focuses on the characteristics of health problems, affected populations, key contexts and situations, health and risk behaviors, and social consequences. This method identifies the resources and opportunities for intervention, and helps with the design, preparation, and implementation of the interventions and programs This paper focuses on the results of the qualitative interviews with street children and key informants as part of the health and risk behaviors assessment. The study population consisted of street children across Tehran and key informants working with the street children. In addition to the street children, key informants were interviewed. The qualitative sampling was performed using the purposive and convenient method described below. In the present study, we used two techniques for gathering data: individual interviews with key informants and group discussions with the street children. Ten group discussions were held with street children average 5—10 children per group , with the children grouped by nationality Iranian and non-Iranians. To obtain homogenous groups and enhance group dynamics 29 , the groups were stratified by age to year-olds and to year-olds and sex boys and girls Table 1. Each group included both children who used services provided by non-governmental centers and children who did not use the services of these centers. Children were purposively 30 based on stratification recruited by participants with the assistance of peers from different parts of the city in cooperation with non-governmental organizations for street children. We used self-definition of participants to identify their ethnic background. Ten people were invited for each focus group from the children who were initially invited to ensure a minimum participation rate of five people per focus group; 64 actually participated in the discussions. The most important reason for not participating was busy at work and lack of time. Table 1. Demographic characteristics of street children participating in group discussions. Each interview was conducted by two members of the research team the first, second, fifth, and sixth authors as a moderator and observer, using semi-structured guide questions. The moderator started the interviews by presenting the aim of the group discussion. Participants were informed about confidentiality that participation was voluntary, and were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time during the focus group. Then, the participants completed the first part of the guide questions age, education, ethnicity, birth place, current job that was attached to the consent form. If there were any questions, the moderators and observers responded individually. Permission to audiotape the interview session was sought orally prior to the interviews. The discussion started with asking participants regarding the characteristics of street children from their point of view, including asking how they define characteristics of different groups of street children such as age group, educational level, living and working places, and family characteristics such as type of and income of family, and family relationship. They were encouraged to talk openly about their knowledge and experiences about each issue. Probes were used to confirm concepts mentioned and to explore areas that the participants did not volunteer, especially regarding the factors related to drug use. The observer observed the atmosphere and interpersonal interaction in the focus group. Each focus group lasted 1. All of children got a sport t-shirt as a gift of participating in the study. The moderators and observers took field notes and discussed these immediately after each interview. The guide question was similar to what was used in interviews of street children. Each interview lasted about 1. All interviews were recorded after getting permission and transcribed in Persian. Data obtained from the interviews and group discussions were analyzed using the deductive and inductive content analysis method Then, all data were reviewed for content for generating new codes or categories or modifying the categories and subcategories developed by induction. No new categories were found inductively from the data, and all codes and categories have been covered by interview topics for health and risk behavior assessment related to drug use. Analysis started after each focus group and the interviews of key informants. Due to the nature of the focus groups in which participants spoke freely, comments could not always be linked to a specific participant. Instead, extracted content was organized by recurrent codes relevant to study interests. To enhance credibility, we selected participants from different ethnic groups, gender, and age groups. To assess dependability, peer checking by another team member to re-analyze some of the data was performed. There was more consistency for coding the naming categories; just the name of the second categories changed from factors related to drug use to reasons for drug use groups, and subcategories of type and methods of using drugs were merged to the main category of kind of drug use, looking across ethnic groups. In each interviews with children and key informants, the interviewers explained the objectives of the study very clearly and stressed the optional nature of participation in the study. The children then gave verbal consent for participation in group discussions and were assured of confidentiality and informed of their right to withdraw from the study at any time during the interview and were free to decide whether to participate in the research. Permission to audiotape the interview was asked orally from the participants prior to the interviews. To establish rapport, the children were asked to take part in the discussions under any nicknames they wanted and to refrain from revealing their family names. Twenty-seven key informants participated in the study — 16 non-governmental, 9 governmental, and 2 international experts — along with 64 street children. The demographic details of 13 street children discussion groups are presented in Table 1. The three categories are presented in detail below. They believed that the use of drugs, such as crystal, opium, cannabis, and pills, and alcohol consumption are very common among working and street children and tend to start at younger ages, often around age of 10 or In addition, they believed that the use of drugs, especially crystal, and even alcohol use, are associated with aggressive behaviors, increased libido, and reduced sexual inhibition. In the discussion groups with children, they also reported being familiar with addiction and drug use, and reported often witnessing drugs such as crystal and injection drugs being used in parks and on the streets. They talked about the involvement of some children in procuring drugs for their family members, or for other addicts, or sometimes even suggestions by vendors to sell drugs themselves. In group discussions with Iranian boys aged to year-old , they reported that children start with smoking hookah and cigarettes and gradually turn to stronger drugs, such as Naas, opium, opium extract, crystal, heroin, ecstasy pills, and alcohol. They know the existing varieties of drugs and also know how to use them. Both Iranian boys and girls in both age groups also pointed out children using drugs in parks, and stated that children and adults use drugs on the streets side by side. The most widely used drugs in the neighborhood of Iranian girls aged 14—18 years were reported crystal and hashish, hash cigarettes, or hash in foil. They smoke pipe too. Its round with a hole, just like a pen. They put the stuff in it and stick a lighter underneath to heat it up. Some smoke fruit juice with pipe, and call it a cocktail. My aunt smokes this. They pour crystal in a pipe, pass a wire through it, and then pass it through that hole, and that is how they smoke crystal \[group discussion with Iranian boys toyear-old \]. Yet, Gypsy girls to year-old , were also reported that some of them did indeed drink alcohol themselves. I have drunk a hundred times. I was angry. I had argued with some girl. She said, do you want this, and I said no. I went home. I saw a bottle. Thought it was water. I gulped it down. It was so bitter, so bitter. I beat up my father \[Gypsy girls to year-old groups \]. Drug use was also relatively commonplace among Gypsy children, though according to one key informant, opium and injection-drug use are mostly limited to adults. According to most 10 of the key informants who worked with Gypsy children, the most common drugs used by these children were crystal meth and crack, which were cheaper than other drugs. This was consistent with results of the discussion with gypsy girls to year-old who mentioned that they were quite familiar with crystal and knew how to use it and Gypsy boys from the younger discussion group to year-old who also knew their way around drugs and knew how to use crystal, hashish, and heroin. It had gotten so bad, and I took in a lot of smoke. I was My mother had gone out and my father was in prison. Then it got me high, so I smoked again. I got it refilled and smoked like a chimney. Then I began to feel unwell. I went outside to sweep the yard. Suddenly I felt dizzy and threw up and then I fell unconscious for two whole days \[Gypsy girls to year-old group \]. According to key informants, it appears that Afghan children are less involved with drug use compared to other children. Compared to other children, addiction rates are very low among Afghan children and their families. Afghan families have very much preserved their family unit. They tend to protect and control their families, and family principles are important to them. I believe Afghans are the most conservative, and have clear relationships and responsibilities; they control and supervise, and are less likely to get involved in risks and danger. In the group discussions, the younger and older Afghan boys reported being familiar with drugs, such as crystal and injection drugs, and the older boys believed that drug use was far less prevalent among Afghan children than among Iranian children, and that those Afghan children who did use drugs had learned the behavior in Iran and Pakistan. They reported that Afghans had immigrated to work and earn money and were frightened of using drugs and would not involve themselves in drug use behaviors unless they were deceived or wanted to copy such behaviors from Iranian children. The reasons for drug use were divided into two categories: family-related reasons and reduction of mental pressure. According to key informants and the group discussions with street children, addiction is common among the families of street children. They reported that addiction was more common among the men of the family, that is, the fathers and brothers, but in many cases, mothers also used drugs. Most experts believed that, among Gypsy families, both men and women are abundant drug and alcohol users. Key informants also reported that children from families with addiction tended to become involved with drug use earlier. In addition, they reported that street children turn to drugs to reduce their sadness and the pressures of their numerous failures in life. But, one of the children, in group discussions, pointed to the sorrow from the breakdown of emotional relationships as a reason for using drugs. Some of the children in the group discussions especially among Gypsy and Iranian groups reported that they used drugs to reduce their physical and mental pressures, such as fatigue, sadness, sorrow, and stress, caused by various problems. Group discussion with to year-old Gypsy girls: Her father bugged her. I thought about this problem myself. Perhaps too much exhaustion and hard work, since girls have to constantly work and since they get pregnant from a very young age, say, 17, and by the age of 20—21, they have like 3 children, and their body and face look haggard. But their husbands are only 21 years old, just now in their prime, becoming better-looking than before and thinking about having girlfriends. The damage to women and girls is huge. But these children often do not experience attachment at all or else it is very faded. Even those living with their family, given the large number of children in the household, the parents cannot support them all. In addition, the despair and failures these kids experience for their basic needs like, food, good clothing, a home, being respected, etc. It is also mentioned that boys need alcohol to help them play their social roles and reduce their anxiety. Without getting drunk, they have very little self-confidence. There was a boy who wanted to see me, and I went over and looked for him for a whole week to see what he wanted. At the end, when I found him, he was drunk, and he said that he could now tell me everything for he was drunk. Key informants mentioned that street children have a higher daily income than their peers, so they — particularly younger children — are targeted by addicts who intend to take advantage of their income for their own good by involving them in drug use. Additionally, children in the 14—18 age group also mentioned that street children took drugs as a pain-killer or for decreasing the stress, and considered competition with peers. Peer pressure was considered among the main causes of turning to drug use. For example, their kids are given opium for the pain in their legs, or when they have a toothache, they put opium extract on the tooth. One of the important drug-use-related problems with street children was getting involved in drug dealing. Some informants reported that, in families with addiction, the adults tend to take advantage of the children for supplying their drugs; it also occurred because of the pressure from the family for procuring drugs. An NGO informant also reported that exhaustion from hard work and low income of the street children toward higher-income trades like drug-pushing when they reach adolescence. We had this one kid who was very smart. He was also very tiny. He was in the drugs business. He said he went to get drugs for his father from XXX street, and for his mother too, for the pain in her leg. When we went to his home, we saw that it was a place for drug use. He was sent to get drugs because he was young. Everyone, his father, his mother and his older brothers, were all addicts. Group discussion with to year-old Afghan girls: Their father is addicted, so he sends his child to buy him drugs. I used to do this myself. My father would send me out to buy drugs. The children mentioned that, sometimes, addicts or drug pushers suggest they sell drugs instead of selling fortune cards, which does not really pay off well, and so sometimes they agree to it. Group discussion with to year-old gypsy girls: I used to sell alcohol and crystal, by the kilo. I would get it from the kids and sell it. I mean, it only took 10 min for me to run out. There was a lot of demand, so I got rid of them all. I was very nifty. Results of the study showed that perceptions of key informants and street children collectively suggest that drug use among street children varies across different ethnic groups in terms of type of drug used, age of use, and gender. Informants and street children described that drug and alcohol use is higher among younger to year-old and older to year-old Iranian and Gypsy boys and girls compared to Afghan boys and girls. According to informants who had worked with Gypsy children, crystal and crack are the most common drugs used by them, as they are more affordable for street youth. From the discussion groups with Gypsy boys and girls, there were reports that both genders consume alcohol. The most common drugs used by to year-old Iranian girls were reported to be crystal and cannabis rolled up in foil and in cigarettes, and the most common drugs used by Iranian boys were reported to be Naas, opium and opium extract, crystal, heroin, ecstasy pills, and alcohol. Whereas, a household survey conducted in Kerman, Iran, with a group of to year-old children showed drug use to be associated with gender and to be more prevalent among boys, which is different from what we found This difference might be attributable to the geographic and urban differences between Kerman and Tehran, the differences in the study sample characteristics, or to the study methods — our study used open-ended qualitative questions, which allowed the children to answer the questions and talk openly. Studies show that the families of street children can play both positive and negative roles in initiating drug use and in facilitating its quitting. In a study conducted in by Hudson et al. Moreover, according to the literature, illicit drug use in parents is highly associated with substance use in adolescence 34 — Embleton also revealed a direct correlation between drug use and alcohol consumption among family members and drug use among street children. The role of family is also important as social support. The lack of family care in children who have left home and who now share a place to sleep with their friends or else sleep alone on the streets or in support centers or their workplace, living in publicly rented shelters — all increase the likelihood of drug use So, implementing intervention programs actively involving families on risk assessments and risk reduction could be more effective in decreasing high-risk behaviors among street children. Results of a study conducted in by Milburn et al. The perceptual framework containing interventions emphasizes the importance of creating a positive family atmosphere, valuing one another, improving the family function through finding two-way solutions to conflicts, learning to recognize and effectively manage emotions, and learning and practicing problem-solving skills. The results of the present study show that street children know how to use drugs, have experienced addiction from an early age, and were influenced by their friends on how to use drugs. A quantitative study was conducted by Shoghli et al. According to results of a controlled confounding factors study conducted in by Latimer et al. Although some friends have a negative role in encouraging drug use, other friends are able to play a protective and informative role in encouraging quitting. These all support the unique role of peers who are more familiar with the culture and behavior of their own ethnic groups on education of reduction of high-risk behaviors, such as drug use among children — especially street children In our study, one of the reasons of using drug by street children was deceiving by their friends to the belief that drug use may help them with sleep and reduce their stress that they had been. These findings are consistent with other studies 42 — This results also consistent with the report of other countries. The street children in India explained that using drugs reduced their hunger, helped them sleep better, reduced their stress, helped them forget the past, and made them more daring and more powerful to fight for finding food and survival Low self-esteem or self-confidence, boredom, and escape from the reality of homelessness and unemployment were among the other motivations for drug use that, according to the children, is a way of killing time So, including self-efficacy program and involving street children in social activities beside their daily life is recommended to be included in any intervention programs for these children. Based on this theory, drug use behaviors of street children is under the influence of their family and peers Achieving better results through drug use prevention programs and interventions targeting street children requires the integration of intervention programs targeting their families and peers. To prevent children from leaving home, serious consideration should be given to providing social support for street children and their families appropriate with the culture of different ethnic groups, providing accessible health care and counseling services, and prevention of violence using non-violent methods such as education and communication for their family. The present study illustrates the opinions of the key informants and street children by the focus groups and individual interviews and should for methodological reasons not be generalized to other contexts. The group of participants with to year-old aged had some difficulty and shyness in talking about the high-risk behaviors, and it was so difficult to keep them not to talk with others during the discussion. Regarding the selection of participants, recruiting of participants often involves an increased dependency on gate-keepers who were peers from different NGOs of street children. They may screen potential participants. Alternatively, these people might be more accessible in the city. MD: substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, interpretation of data for the work, drafting the work or revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. MV, HR, PR, FD, and ASF: substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work, drafting the work for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. SA, RJ, and JB: Interpretation of data for the work, revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. We are grateful to the participants for sharing their experience and knowledge. Our special gratitude to Noa Krawczyk, Ph. Shakibi MR. Prevalence of opium addiction in Iranian drivers J Med Sci 4 3 —3. The frequency of sexual abuse and depression in a sample of street children of one of deprived districts of Tehran. J Child Sex Abus 16 4 — Thomas de Benitez S. London: Consortium for Street Children Google Scholar. Street children in Pakistan: a situational analysis of social conditions and nutritional status. Soc Sci Med 59 8 — Ferguson K. Child labor and social capital in the mezzosystem: family-and community-based risk and protective factors for street-working children in Mexico. J Soc Work Res Evaluation 6 1 — Khan S, Hesketh T. Deteriorating situation for street children in Pakistan: a consequence of war. Arch Dis Child 95 8 —7. South African street children: a survey and recommendations for services. Dev South Afr 27 1 — The socioeconomic status of street children in Iran: a systematic review on studies over a recent decade. Child Soc 28 5 — Shaaverdi T. Tehran: Agah Vameghi M. Street children in Iran and governmental approaches. Soc Welf Q 5 — Disadvantages of being a street child in Iran: a systematic review. Int J Adolesc Youth 19 :1— Malcolm A, Aggleton P. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization A study of the prevalence and risk factors leading to HIV infection among a sample of street children and youth of Kathmandu. Drug use, street survival, and risk behaviors among street children in Lahore, Pakistan. J Urban Health 82 :iv— Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus among street children in Isfahan, Iran Int J Infect Dis 14 :e The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among street children in Tehran, Iran. Int J Infect Dis 12 :e Ghasemzadeh F. Street children in Tehran. Soc Welf Q 2 7 — Jangholi M, editor. Tehran Kashefi-Esmaeelzadeh H. Mehdizadeh H. Prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency virus, and syphilis among street children residing in southern Tehran, Iran. Arch Iran Med 9 2 —5. Zandi-Mehr A. Risk factors of substance use among street children from Delhi. Indian Pediatr 41 3 —6. PubMed Abstract Google Scholar. Substance use among street children in Tehran, Iran. A methodological paper: rapid assessment and response to high risk behaviors of street children in Tehran. Iran J Epidemiol 11 1 — World Health Organization. Barbour R, Kitzinger J. London: SAGE Whitley R, Crawford M. Qualitative research in psychiatry. Can J Psychiatry 50 2 — Kitzinger J. Qualitative research: introducing focus groups. Br Med J — Qualitative Methodology for International Public Health. Elo S, Kyngs H. The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs 62 1 — Ziaaddini H, Ziaaddini MR. The household survey of drug abuse in Kerman, Iran. J Appl Sci 5 2 —2. Peer and sibling substance use: predictors of substance use among adolescents in Mexico. Rev Panam Salud Publica 15 4 — Predictors of drug use among South African adolescents. J Adolesc Health 38 1 — The relationship between family variables and adolescent substance abuse: a literature review. Adolescence 29 — Arch Med Sci 6 3 — Trajectories of adolescent emotional and cognitive development: effects of sex and risk for drug use. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1 — Estimating the number of people at risk for and living with HIV in China in methods and results. Sex Transm Infect 82 Suppl 3 :iii87— Shoghli A, Mohraz M. Is there an association between alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted diseases? A systematic review. Sex Transm Dis 32 3 — The social ecology model of adolescent substance abuse: implications for prevention. Subst Use Misuse 25 S4 — Ashton JR. Sniffing glue is still a public health problem in adolescence. J Epidemiol Community Health 61 12 Heroin addicts with a history of glue sniffing: a deviant group within a deviant group. Int J Addict 12 2—3 — Inhalant use and inhalant use disorders in the United States. Addict Sci Clin Pract 6 1 — Nontobacco substance use, sexual abuse, HIV, and sexually transmitted infection among street children in Kolkata, India. Subst Use Misuse 45 10 — Drug use among Iranian drivers involved in fatal car accidents. Front Psychiatry 5 Opium use and mortality in Golestan cohort study: prospective cohort study of 50 adults in Iran. BMJ :e Public Health The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author s or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. Top bar navigation. About us About us. Sections Sections. About journal About journal. Article types Author guidelines Editor guidelines Publishing fees Submission checklist Contact editorial office. Public Health , 23 December Johnson 1. Introduction The phenomenon of street children is a major concern of the international community 1. Participants The study population consisted of street children across Tehran and key informants working with the street children. Data Collection In the present study, we used two techniques for gathering data: individual interviews with key informants and group discussions with the street children.

Buying Ecstasy Tehran