In brief
Rebel fighters in Syria recently discovered vast stockpiles of Captagon, an illegal amphetamine, which has turned the nation into a hub for the narcotics trade under Bashar al-Assad's regime. What does this mean for the country's future?
Rebel fighters in Syria have uncovered extensive stockpiles of Captagon, an illicit amphetamine, in a warehouse near Damascus. This drug has become a central part of a narcotics-trafficking operation led by associates of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, overshadowing Syria's legitimate export market and contributing to its status as a narcostate. So, what is Captagon? Initially created in the 1960s for therapeutic uses such as treating ADHD, it was banned globally by the 1980s due to its addictive nature and severe side effects. Today, Captagon can be produced cheaply in Syria and is sold on the streets for prices ranging from $3 to $20 per pill. The ongoing drug trade raises questions about whether Syria's new leadership will take steps to tackle this burgeoning crisis.
