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An Analytic Study of Captagon Abuse

January 2021
Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology 25(1):6831-6838

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shows the distribution of Captagon between genders & marital status.

…

shows the opinions of Captagon abusers about Captagon accessibility

…

shows the correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender.

…

Symmetric Measures for correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender

…

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Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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An Analytic Study of Captagon Abuse

Academic Supervisor

Noor Faiz Abdalah Rawaa Abdulmunem Hasan Hazim Abdul Rahman Alhiti

Higher health institute. Higher health institute General Surgeon Specialist M.D, Academic Mentor

ABDSTRACT:

BACKGROUND: Captagon (a form of amphetamine) is a social problem in the world.

AIM: to report & analyze Captagon Abuse in young Iraqi peoples.

METHODS: prospective, cross-sectional descriptive & analytic study using questionnaire from 65 young

Iraqi peoples aged between (17-39) years from different social classes, randomly selected without names

over December 2019, collected by students from second class of higher institute of nursing in Al-Anbar. A

statistical analysis by Chi square through SPSS v23. The significant p-value is 0.05.

RESULTS: Sixty five responses from 35 males & 30 females, 29 of participants live in city. Fifteen girls,

five widows & ten divorced women, while 31 single males & four married were reported. 28 people’s

fathers had bachelors or higher educational degree. There is no significant correlation between Captagon

accessibility and gender.

CONCLUSIONS: Captagon Abuse is a critical problem rising in Iraqi community, must be

banned. Iraqi peoples are seeking Captagon in the same need, easily from illegal sources.

KEYWORDS: Captagon, Abuse, Iraqi peoples, higher institute of nursing, Al-Anbar.

GEOGRAPHIC ABSTRACT:

prospective, cross-sectional descriptive & analytic study using questionnaire forma

randomly selected without names over December 2019 including 65 young Iraqi peoples

aged between (17-39) years from different social classes, collected by students from

second class of higher institute of nursing in Al-Anbar

A statistical analysis used by Chi square through SPSS v21. The significant p-value is

0.05

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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Significance:

1. Important topic

2. This topic is the second one in Iraq

3. Sensitive hidden topic

4. Significant results

5. Need government action

INTRODUCTION:

Captagon is a commercial name of Fenethylline which is a mixture of theophylline and amphetamine

that is one of the most social & economic problems in Iraq & the world, due to its major impact on the

person & community and it draws its sequels on the family and society, which is extensively studied over

the Arabic gulf young people due to Captagon effect on mental health like (Alyousef 2019) [1]

Captagon distresses adolescents & young people even women in a growing design in the world & the

Middle East region. Captagon Abuse is mostly common overused in Arab countries and refugees that still

available despite its illegality, like in many reports of the resettled Syrian refugees like (Almoshmosh 2019)

[2]

Captagon was first stated by a German scientist in 1961 for the treatment of depression hyperactivity or

narcolepsy. It has hallucinogenic & addictive; it was registered as a controlled drug by the United States in

1981 after that World Health Organization in 1986 leads to be illegal to sell or buy in the utmost countries.

Captagon has been stated as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant due to lengthier and Clearer

outcomes on man aggression, disinterest, cognition, and watchfulness than its metabolites, Amphetamine.

Captagon abuse is not a local or regional issue, it becomes universal, as in many written studies like

(Katselou 2016) [3]

RESULTS: sixty five responses from 35 males & 30 females. 29 of participants

live in city.

Fifteen girls, five widows & ten divorced women, while 31 singles & four married

males

were reported. 28 had bachelors or higher educational degree.

CONCLUSIONS:

Captagon Abuse is a critical problem rising in Iraqi community, must be

banned. Iraqi peoples are seeking Captagon in the same need, easily from

illegal sources.

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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It can inversely affect the victim in several ways by causing dependence, carelessness, ignorance,

dissatisfaction & disease spread. Time-wasting is the dominant thing in our young people in addition to a

few & scattered young centers like libraries, clubs, art societies, etc.

Rather Iraqi young people spend their time in aimless street waking, without hobbies.The most serious

thing is the presence of night clubs, coffee shops that harbor many stimulating conditions for Captagon

abuse like alcohol drinking, Gambling and smocking which deteriorating young people's wisdom. Captagon

abuse is linked with the psychological or ideas conflicts in high-risk countries like in Syrian addicts which is

mentioned in many papers as (Abazid 2020) [4]

After many sequential Iraqi wars, economic Sanctions, then 2003 Sadam fall, there were deterioration

in social rules & uncontrolled freedom, social media dominance, free sexual satellites; all these had their

negative impact on Iraqi young people's opinions and thoughts. Social security weakness is the main result

of these above challenges with clear consequences on Iraqi young people as Captagon abuse, which is a

very important topic in Al-Anbar and Iraq.

Our study is the second paper in Iraq and in Al- Ramadi provenance as in the mentioned paper written by

)[5]

AIM: to report & analyze Captagon Abuse in young Iraqi peoples.

METHODS:

It is prospective, cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study using questionnaire from 65 young

Iraqi peoples of both genders aged between (17-39) years from different social classes, randomly selected

without names over December 2019, collected by students from second class of higher institute of nursing

in Al-Anbar. A statistical analysis by Chi square through SPSS v23. The significant p-value is 0.05.

Sample size: sixty five which is relatively small.

Sample location: from different social classes of Iraqi people not limited to Al-Ramadi

Study design: prospective, cross-sectional descriptive & analytical study.

Study period: December 2019

Limitation of study: relatively small sample size & not represent the whole community.

Inclusion criteria: all peoples responded to the questionnaire form

Exclusion criteria: all peoples did not respond

Conflict of interest: none

Ethical committee: vague names, oral consent

Plagiarism: none

Bias risk is low

Statistics: A statistical analysis used by Chi square through SPSS v21.

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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The significant p-value: is 0.05.

Null hypothesis: no significant correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender.

Results:

Table 1 shows the distribution of Captagon between genders & marital status.

Marital status

Males

females

Total

Single

Married

Widow

Divorced

Total

Table 2 shows the opinions of Captagon abusers about Captagon accessibility

Captagon accessibility

Male

Female

Total

Yes

Total

Table 3: shows the correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender.

Chi-Square Tests

Value

Asymptotic

Significance

(2-sided)

Exact Sig. (2-

sided)

Exact Sig. (1-

sided)

Pearson Chi-

Square

.083a

.774

Continuity

Correctionb

.000

1.000

Likelihood Ratio

.083

.773

Fisher's Exact

Test

1.000

.574

Linear-by-

Linear

Association

.081

.776

N of Valid Cases

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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a. 2 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum expected count is

2.31.

b. Computed only for a 2x2 table

Table 4: Symmetric Measures for correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender

Symmetric Measures

Value

Asymptotic

Standardized

Errora

Approximate

Significance

Nominal by

Nominal

Phi

-.036

.774

Cramer's V

.036

.774

Interval by

Interval

Pearson's R

-.036

.122

-.283

.778c

Ordinal by

Ordinal

Spearman

Correlation

-.036

.122

-.283

.778c

N of Valid Cases

a. Not assuming the null hypothesis.

b. Using the asymptotic standard error assuming the null hypothesis.

c. Based on normal approximation.

Discussion:

This study involves a direct face to face well-prepared questionnaire about Captagon

Abuse in young Iraqi peoples collected by a research group from emergency faculty second class. The

study involved both genders from different Iraqi social classes randomly selected adolescents, young adults

even middle-aged people after oral consent, without names.

The sample size is relatively small, this is due to the low availability of Captagon in our Society, but still it

is hidden between consumers, this is similar to reported papers in Iraq, as in the mentioned paper written by

() [5]

Table 1 shows the distribution of Captagon between genders & marital status.

Males are the main users in our report; this is mostly due to male's hard work requirements or lifestyle

habits. Captagon gives males the false energy of being well and able to do more work, and this is a

recycling of energy desire. This repetitive cycle causes physical exhaustion and dependence. Captagon

Trend in the patient desire to crime in an Organized Traffic on Global young people which is a significant

issue of Global Security, this issue is discussed in many articles like (Kassab 2017) [6]

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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There are many motivations in the prevalence of Captagon abuse in Arabic people in the Arabic Gulf like

in Iraqi young people or Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) study so Captagon abuse require Government and

community attention. This important topic is discussed in many countries, as in (Gamal 2017) [7] but

unfortunately not in Iraq. Although females consumed Captagon, mostly due to marriage problems like

divorce or widowhood state. It may be due to life problems or unhappy events, although it still reported in

single girls, especially the students and this is may be due to the advantage ofdrug components, this is

similar to previous works of literature about Captagon advantage in Egyptian young peoples like (Nivert

2016) [8]

Most participants were from city which is a logical explanation of complex lifestyle and Deficit night sleep,

depression and hard work, this is the same perception of use by many educational levels due to study

requirements, that is within the papers world reports.

Captagon Abuse affects in governments Political issues, due to its effects on people’s desire and intentions.

Captagon Abuse even affects rational Actors and politician group so that they become addicted to Mind

Altering Drugs like Captagon abused, which is mentioned in different articles such as (Hotrum 2017) [9]

Table 2 shows the opinions of Captagon abusers about Captagon accessibility.

We can see the little difference between males and females due to Captagon availability in illegal markets

or illegal pharmacies. Captagon trade increased in these illegal markets due to increasing need between

males and females consumers which is a significant drug trade in the middle east. This topic is mentioned in

several studies like (AL‐Imam 2017) [10]

Table 3: Chi-Square Test to show the correlation between Captagon accessibility and

gender

There is no significant correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender. That means both males and

females were used Captagon in a relatively equal number and seek for Captagon from illegal markets or

illegal pharmacies in the same desire which is a significant finding, it indicates that both males and females

handled Captagon in an illegal way and in a good availability, which is a community hazard and mental

health danger. Captagon effects were mentioned in many articles like (Alodhailah 2020) [11]

Table 4: Symmetric Measures between Captagon accessibility and gender

There is no significant correlation between Captagon accessibility and gender. This means that both

genders believes that Captagon can be abused in spite of availability of the drug through habitual

dependence. This is a dangerous point because abusers may cause acrime to find Captagon, or theft it, even

leads to human Crimes and Criminals as were mentioned in many books like (Krishnan 2018) [12]

The side effects of Captagon still is the main social problem due to aggression and hallucination which

can increase crime and unstable mood, which is the main drawback of Captagon leads to drug ban. [13]

CONCLUSIONS:

Captagon Abuse is a critical problem rising in Iraqi community, must be banned, Iraqi peoples

are seeking Captagon in the same need, easily from illegal sources.

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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Recommendation:

1. Government firm actions on Captagon use.

2. More researches & studies on Captagon abuse.

3. New laws on Captagon trade.

References:

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practitioners. The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice. 2019; 14(2): 96-105.

https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2017-0051

2. Almoshmosh N, Bahloul H, Barkil-Oteo A, Hassan G, Kirmayer L. Mental health of resettled Syrian

refugees: a practical cross-cultural guide for practitioners. The Journal of Mental Health Training,

Education and Practice. 2019; 15(1): 20-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-03-2019-0013

3. Katselou M, Papoutsis I, Nikolaou P, Qammaz S, Spiliopoulou C, Athanaselis S. Fenethylline

(Captagon) abuse–local problems from an old drug become universal. Basic. Clin Pharmacol.

2016;119:133–40. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/bcpt.12584

4. Abazid H, Abou‐Isba S, Abu Farha R, Al‐Jomaa E. Drug abuse in Syria: pattern of use, causes and

perception as perceived by Syrian addicts. JPHSR. 2020; 2(1): 22-26.

https://doi.org/10.1111/jphs.12345

5.  PHYSIOLOGICAL ,CYTOGENETIC AND MOLECULAR STUDY OF SAMPLE OF

CAPTAGON ADDICTS IN AL-RAMADI PROVENANCE.

. 2012. . 

https://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=61723

6. Kassab HS, Rosen JD. General Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime on a Global Scale.

In: Illicit Markets, Organized Crime, and Global Security. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. 2019. 87-

109. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90635-5_5

7. Gamal M, Abdelrahim MEA, Mohammed JA, Bamofleh EA. The reasons behind prevalence of

captagon addiction in Jeddah and community awareness: A Questionnaire-based study. ScholReps.

2017; 2(1). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed_Gamal9/publication/316082230.pdf

8. Nivert Z, Marwa S, Reem ESH, Elwasify M, Elturky J. Help-seeking patterns in an Egyptian sample

of substance use disorder patients. Middle East Current Psychiatry. 2016; 23(3): 147-152. DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1097/01.XME.0000484680.46326.1d

9. Hotrum, Jay P. Drug Abuse and Politics. What Happens When Rational Actors Become Addicted to

Mind Altering Drugs? UC Riverside: University Honors. 2017.

https://escholarship.org/uc/item/70s7k6rs

10. AL‐Imam A, Santacroce R, Roman‐Urrestarazu A, Chilcott R. et al. Captagon: use and trade in the

Middle East. Hum. Psych. 2017;32(3): e2548. https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2548

11. Alodhailah NA. Investment obstacles in drug addiction treatment in Saudi Arabia. Int. j. inf. tecnol.

2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41870-020-00428-6

12. Krishnan A. War Crimes and Criminal Conduct. In: Why Paramilitary Operations Fail. Palgrave

Macmillan, Cham. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71631-2_7

Annals of R.S.C.B., ISSN: 1583-6258, Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2021, Pages. 6831 - 6838

Received 15 December 2020; Accepted 05 January 2021.

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13. Al-Imam A, Hussein A, Saad S. Face Recognition Abilities in Iraqi Medical Students: An

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12(1); e9801. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijpbs.9801

ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.

Drug abuse in Syria: pattern of use, causes and perception as perceived by Syrian addicts: Drug abuse pattern among Syrian addicts

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The Reasons Behind Prevalence of Captagon Addiction in Jeddah and Community Awareness: A Questionnaire-Based Study Publication Details

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Introduction: The Captagon is the brand name of Fenethylline and it is a derivative of amphetamine. It was distributed as an

Captagon: Use and trade in the Middle East

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2016

Background: Fenetheylline, a psychostimulant drug, often branded as Captagon, is a combination of amphetamine and theophylline. Since the cessation of its legal production in 1986, counterfeited products have been produced illicitly in south-east Europe and far-east Asia. Its profitable trade has been linked to terrorist organizations, including Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. This study aims to reach up-to-date data, concerning the Captagon e-commerce and use in the Middle East. Methods: A multi-staged and multi-lingual literature search was carried out. A list of prespecified keywords was applied across medical and paramedical databases, web and Dark web, search engines, social communication media, electronic commerce websites, media networks, and the Global Public Health Intelligence Network database. Results: The use of Captagon as a stimulant in terrorist settings has been marginally covered in the literature. Data can widely be retrieved from Google and AOL search engines, YouTube, and Amazon e-commerce websites, and to a lesser extent from Alibaba and eBay. On the contrary, Middle Eastern e-commerce websites yielded almost no results. Interestingly, the Dark web generated original data for Captagon e-commerce in the Middle East. Conclusion: Further investigations are needed on the role that psychoactive drugs play in terrorist attacks and civil war zones. Unless a comprehensive methodological strategy, inclusive of unconventional methods of research, is implemented, it will not be feasible to face such a threat to humanity.

Help-seeking patterns in an Egyptian sample of substance use disorder patients

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2016

Background: Substance use disorder is a major problem worldwide. The increased number of addicts is not matched by an equal effort to increase awareness of the available services provided to them in their community. Patterns of seeking help and sources of advice and referral to specialized and professional help are not clear and quiet related to the cultural and demographical environment, something that had never been properly investigated in the Egyptian community. Aim: This study explored the most frequent patterns of help-seeking behaviors among patients with substance use disorders and the referral sources to professional services. Participants and methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based observational study was conducted among 40 patients aged above 18 years who were diagnosed with substance use disorder according to DSM-IV and who presented at the substance treatment program with male residential and outpatient services at the Institute of Psychiatry of Ain Shams University Hospitals over a period of 6 months. Exclusion criteria were limited mental competency, intoxication, or the inability to provide informed written consent. The data were gathered using Fahmy and El-Sherbini's Social Classification Scale, Addiction Severity Index, and a Researcher-Designed Questionnaire and were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The primarily abused drug was tramadol, a seen in 70% of the sample, followed by heroin in 20% and other substances including alcohol in 12.5%. Family was the most frequent source of referral to professional help among cases attending the clinic, and emergency services was the least common. The mean severity profile scores measuring problems and functional impairment using Addiction Severity Index were higher in the 'employment' domain (0.66±0.32), whereas legal (0.00 ± 0.00), alcohol (0.01±0.07), and psychiatry (0.01±0.06) domains had lower scores. Our study concluded that patients who presented late for help 4(1 year) were mostly divorced, living in slum areas, and were middle class. We also found that they first approached their friends for consultation, and source of referral was emergency room or friends with the same problem. Conclusion: Help-seeking through family was the most common pattern in our study.

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Feb 2020

Nasser Abdulrahman Alodhailah

Healthcare in Saudi Arabia incurs huge expenditure to the government as the public hospitals and clinics constitute about 80% of all health infrastructure. This is creating problems in funding a number of specialized healthcare units like those for treating and managing drug addiction. This paper seeks to examine the investment obstacle in drugs addiction treatment in Saudi Arabia. To support and conclude our findings, we have carried out a survey of various government and private hospitals and health centers in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. A descriptive approach was applied to analyses the collected data. We found out that the government policy of offering free services in public hospitals, costing a large part of the government budget is responsible for most of the problems to fund specialized health programs like that of drug addicts. We hope our findings in this paper can be used by the public and private health sectors for having a balanced approach to healthcare without draining the public funding.

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to prepare healthcare providers in high-income countries to deal with mental health and psychosocial issues among resettled Syrian refugees. Design/methodology/approach Collaborative work of the authors on a comprehensive review of social context, cultural frameworks and related issues in the mental health and psychosocial well-being of resettled Syrian refugees. Findings A practical guide that emphasizes the importance of considering the social and cultural dimensions of their predicament and highlighting principles that can help clinicians address the unique needs of Syrian refugee patients. Originality/value The content of this paper is inspired by the collaborative work of the authors on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR).

Factors contributing to mental health stigma among Saudi medical practitioners

Article

Jan 2019

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that contribute to stigmas held by mental health practitioners about people with mental health issues. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was adopted to collect data from one focus group discussion comprised of six healthcare practitioners representing different aspects of health provision. Data were analysed using Nvivi.10 thematic content analysis, and major themes were identified. Participants also complete a demographic data sheet. This study was conducted in February 2018 at the medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Findings The focus group discussed the stigmas they held about people with mental health issues and the factors they perceived as heightening their prejudices. Factors identified included professional experiences, the media and community. Practitioners working in mental healthcare are vulnerable to developing stigmas about people with mental health problems. This research has begun to explore the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. Research limitations/implications The participants were drawn from several different mental healthcare providers, so attitudes expressed cannot be generalised. Practical implications Practitioners healthcare providers of all types including clinical practitioners, administrators and programme planners have a duty to confront the stigma of mental health among the community and healthcare providers, by expanding the volume of academic literature being authored, improving continuing professional education and enhancing employment opportunities in that sector. Originality/value The outcomes of this study were mainly applicable to the professional mental health team, educator of healthcare practitioners, clinical practitioners, community mental healthcare services and research related to this topic, especially for improved ethical and professional values for healthcare providers and enlightenment of society as a whole.

General Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime on a Global Scale

Chapter

Jan 2019

This chapter examines the trends in drug trafficking and organized crime, focusing on the evolution of organized crime. While some of the actors have changed and the world has evolved, there are some trends across time, particularly in the policy realm in terms of which policies have been effective and which have been less effective. Moreover, drug trafficking organizations present challenges not only for state security but also for regional security as a result of the violent tactics that some organizations employ.

War Crimes and Criminal Conduct

Chapter

Apr 2018

Armin Krishnan

Civil wars always create ungoverned spaces where atrocities occur and crime can flourish. The problem in proxy wars is that an outside sponsor is often confronted with the dilemma of supporting armed groups that are engaged in war crimes and that rely on organized crime (most importantly drug trafficking) for financing themselves. The chapter argues that war crimes and illegal activity in civil wars are not random or irrational, but are often part of a rational strategy by guerrillas. Their sponsors are faced with a commitment dilemma: they have to ignore or cover up war crimes and illegal activity of their proxies in order to sustain public and international support for an intervention on the proxies’ behalf or to abandon them and lose any influence over the conflict.

Fenethylline (Captagon) Abuse - Local Problems from an Old Drug Become Universal

Article

Mar 2016
BASIC CLIN PHARMACOL

Fenethylline is a theophylline derivative of amphetamine having stimulant effects similar to those of other amphetamine type derivatives. Fenethylline was used as medicament for hyperactivity disorders in children, narcolepsy and depression, but it has also been used as a drug of abuse under the common name of "captagon". Unlike other drugs of abuse, the clandestine synthesis of fenethylline is simple, using inexpensive laboratory instrumentation and raw materials legal to obtain. A review of all the existing knowledge of fenethylline is reported, concerning its chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology and toxicology, legislation, its prevalence and use as drug of abuse, as well as its analysis in biological or seized samples. Published or reported captagon-related cases and seizures are also presented. All the reviewed information was gathered through a detailed search of PubMed and the internet. The primary drug market for fenethylline (as captagon) has traditionally been countries located on the Arabian Peninsula but also North Africa since 2013. In Arab countries, millions of captagon tablets are seized every year which represents one-third of global amphetamines seizures within a year. Furthermore, three out of four patients treated for drug problems in Saudi Arabia are addicted to amphetamines, almost exclusively in the form of captagon. Significant information on fenethylline is provided for pharmacologists, toxicologists and forensic pathologists. Fenethylline, although old, has recently been introduced to the drug market, especially in Arab countries. Continuous community alertness is needed to tackle this current growing phenomenon. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.