Breaking the Habit

Only six hours after the Shah of Iran reluctantly signed the order, the sound of rifle fire cracked across an open field near Teheran, and ten blindfolded bodies fell to the ground. The ten men were executed not for committing murder or treason. They were the first victims of the world's toughest narcotics law. Iran's vigorous police campaign began 14 years ago, when health officials discovered to their alarm that 1 Iranian in 10 was an addict (total population 20 million in 1955). In some villages such as Sabzavar (pop. 40,000), where the soil is conducive to the growing of poppies, virtually everybody above the age of five smoked opium. Over the years, a government crackdown against poppy growing reduced Iran's addicts to 35,000. However, smugglers began bringing in opium from Turkey and Afghanistan, and the number of addicts rose to 250,000 in 1968. As a result, the government last July prescribed death by firing squad for anyone convicted of possessing more than two kilograms of opium or ten grams of heroin, morphine or cocaine. Another eight men are scheduled to be executed this week, and at least 50 more are being held.

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