Pathology of the Iranian Policymaking on Primary Prevention of Drug Addiction

The research aims to consider the pathology of the Iranian policymaking on the primary prevention of drug abuse and addiction. The research has been conducted based on the mixed methods consist Delphi technique, content analysis (method), factor analysis and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Also, the study population includes four groups of policymakers, the executives, experts and recovered addicts. Unfortunately, we face the major challenges to consider the pathology of policies through using current data gathered from the policymaking process. Findings of the research indicate that the inalienability of prevention (from drug addiction) within the scope of accountable institutions’ responsibilities, the disintegration of preventive activities on the structure of social institutions (of our country), an ambiguity in the monitoring and evaluation mechanism, the willingness of policy makers and officials to carry out high-yield and short-term programs, the inappropriateness of preventive policies to the depth and breadth of drug addiction issue which are considered as major problems of the Iranian policy-making on primary prevention of drug addiction.