A tragic and heartbreaking fire incident at “Gham Rahayi Avval” camp in the city of Langroud in Gilan province resulted in the death of at least 36 residents who were seeking treatment for addiction. Although it did not receive much attention from the public and media, it brought the issue of addiction back into serious consideration.

Addiction is a very challenging and global problem that has affected most countries and in the modern century, there has been a special focus on addiction and addicts. Experts in this field believe that in order to reduce the severity and prevalence of this abnormality, special psychological approaches must be taken into consideration.

Addiction in our country has a long history and in some regions of Iran, it has become a culture to the point where some people host their guests with drugs. However, this social problem and abnormality is so stigmatized among many Iranians that being addicted is often seen as a curse, insult, and even slander in popular culture. As a result, those struggling with addiction often hide it because being addicted is seen as a deviation from the norm.

Experts and psychologists in this field consider addiction as a disease and see the addicted person as in need of treatment; a treatment that is not like other diseases and due to the destructive consequences on the person’s mental health, it can be very difficult and even impossible for some to recover and break free from it. Unfortunately, despite constant awareness efforts, especially in the past two decades, society still has a negative view towards addicted individuals and as a result, their interactions with addicts are often accompanied by negative reactions from both families and society.

Psychologists in this field classify addicts as patients who, from a psychological standpoint, are in dire need of special attention from their families and society. Many addicts have been able to quit drugs and return to their families and start a new life with favorable conditions and proper treatment from their families and society. This disease, like any other disease, has various forms and the treatment process is not the same for all addicts. Fortunately, some are able to overcome their addiction with strong determination and leave drugs more easily than others. However, unfortunately, others require more help and attention, and if they do not receive this support, they are unable to quit their addiction and even if they do, they may relapse.

But unfortunately, what has been seen and heard in many cases is that addiction has been used as a “weapon” and the addicted person becomes a victim of “character assassination”. In many cases, addicts are educated individuals with high moral values, to the point that those around them only see their addiction as a flaw. The method of “weaponizing” is especially destructive for individuals who once had a reputation in their family and society, to the extent that the addicted person, despite having all the abilities and prominent personality, is unable to escape this destructive disaster. In some cases, “weaponizing” has such destructive consequences for the addicted person that they have resorted to drugs again on the verge of quitting and escaping from the negative views and behaviors of society and family.

Perhaps the lack of attention from society and the media towards the tragedy of the fire at the Turk addiction camp in Langroud city is a result of this negative view of society towards addicts. Unfortunately, the negative attitudes and treatment towards addicts in society are so irrational that some still believe they should be put on a boat and drowned in the middle of the sea. However, modern society does not have such a view towards addicts and instead focuses all its efforts and attention on their recovery. More than two decades ago, in one of the Scandinavian countries, when a group of alcohol addicts in a rehabilitation center were receiving benefits, the question arose as to why so much attention is given to these individuals who do not benefit society? One of the officials of the center responded: these individuals are the children of our country who unfortunately chose the wrong path and need our help. Such help can bring them back to a normal life, as they are the assets of our country.

Unfortunately, such a compassionate view towards addicts is very limited in our country. Of course, this comparison is not necessarily accurate because the population index in our country, as well as other indicators such as social welfare, livelihood, economic well-being, high level of health, employment, etc., cannot be compared to countries in the Scandinavian region.

Despite all, it must be accepted that our country is located in one of the most dangerous regions in the world in terms of easy access to drugs, and this problem is not one that can be eradicated, but there must be the ability to fight against it. Fortunately, in recent years, some NGOs have entered this difficult battle and have achieved very good results in this regard.

Just as in the first step of this difficult struggle, an addict must accept their addiction and raise their hands for help, society, family, and governing institutions must also pave the way and rush to help these social outcasts by accepting their existence.

According to experts, the physical effects of drugs are completely eliminated from the body of an addict within a week after quitting, and the patient no longer needs to receive the substance for physical reasons. However, mentally and spiritually, the consequences of this disease may still remain, and it is here that families, communities, and others have a very important role to play.

Cultural addiction still has destructive and negative effects on Iranian society, and for this reason, a cultural perspective towards the addicted individual requires serious reform and reconsideration. If society can look at addicts with a progressive, humane, and logical perspective, it is hoped that the fight against this serious problem will gradually yield very good results.

If addicts continue to be viewed negatively and society sees them as parasites, not only will there be no reduction in the problem, but it will become a serious threat to society if it spreads, which can have very damaging consequences.

But what should be paid more attention to is the duties of government in order to reduce the factors that lead to addiction in society. Reducing inflation, improving economic and living conditions, decreasing unemployment rates, creating jobs, building cultural and sports spaces, facilitating continued education, and forming families are among the main duties of government.

What has been seen in recent decades is the lack of attention from governments to these cultural, social, and economic indicators, which unfortunately has led to the spread of this disease and social problem.

A society in which poverty and unemployment become more widespread and pervasive every day, and the spirit and psyche of its citizens are negatively affected, will lead them to the beginning of addiction and turning to drugs. This is because frustration, lack of well-being, and loss of self-confidence are among the main factors that lead people to the destruction of addiction.