BBC: Captagon: Jordan's undeclared war against Syria drug traffickers.

[abqtommy]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-61040359

snip

[The amphetamine Captagon - cheaply manufactured in Syria and Lebanon and also known as "the poor man's cocaine" - has become the drug of choice."The consequences of taking
it are very serious. They can include violence and psychosis," says Dr Ali al-Qam, a
consultant psychiatrist and clinical director (in Jordan). "It's very addictive as well. People
start with one tablet and then increase by two or three, then shift into a more serious drug
like crystal meth."

At the height of the conflict in Syria, smugglers and militant groups took advantage to supply Captagon - which is often laced with caffeine - to fighters, to boost their courage and help them stay alert on the frontlines. With few legitimate work opportunities and growing poverty, many ordinary Syrians became involved in the drugs trade.

Now, with the Syrian economy shattered by a decade of war and still stifled by international sanctions, it has turned into a multi-billion-dollar industry, worth far more than any legal exports.

Although there have been public denials from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, reports have linked powerful figures in business and the military to the manufacturing and distribution of Captagon.]

This article covers drug addiction and treatment in Jordan, fueled by the Syrian drug trade.
The Jordanian military is very active in dealing with smugglers. I've done some editing to
meet our DU 4-paragraph rule but the whole article is very informing. Who knew that
Russia and Syria were involved in this? Now we know.