Drug use among Iranian population: results of a national household survey

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of drug use among Iranian general households. Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in a sample of 61,000 individuals between 15 and 64 years in 2017 urban areas and 623 rural areas of 31 provinces of Iran from February to November 2015. Multistage cluster random sampling method was used to draw the sample. Data were collected using a self-administered data collection form, which elicited demographic data, and data related to report of any kind of drug use or illicit use of pharmaceuticals in the past week, past month, past year, and ever life. Different measures were taken to ensure the accuracy of the study results. Results: The study showed that 8.5% of the population reported ever use of any drugs, and 4.3% reported past-week use of any drugs. Conclusions: This study showed that the drug use prevalence in Iran was more than twice the previous estimations.