Drug addiction is an open wound across Iran.  

Whatever the number of addicts—Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters says nearly 3 million, others say it’s more—the pain is etched on the face of the user, their shame and sickness shared by the family. Some blame unemployment, but a key reason is that heroin is cheap and plentiful.  

Attempting to intercept heroin and opium flooding in through porous borders with neighboring Afghanistan, government officials are fighting a hard war against the traffickers. They have had some success. They reportedly seized over 250 tons of narcotics in the first nine months of 2025.  

Around the world, Christians run effective rehabilitation centers. Their methods work. The Iran region is no exception; many have been delivered from addiction, and their witness wins many to Christ.  

A great need remains for more Christian rehabilitation centers in the Iran region. And as addiction rates rise among women, more rehabilitation centers for women are needed.