In Syria, the aftermath of civil conflict has not only devastated infrastructure but has also fostered a silent war against addiction.

Amidst the ruins of war-torn cities, a new generation has emerged under the spell of cheap Captagon pills, originally intended for foreign markets but now flooding the local landscape.

The plight of Captagon began when the former Syrian regime utilized these synthetic drugs, comprising amphetamine and theophylline, as a means to finance its war efforts.

As a result, the pills flooded streets and alleyways, claiming lives and turning aspirations into nightmares.

Throughout 2020, Captagon prices plummeted dramatically, with a pill selling for as low as five cents, a price less than that of a cup of tea.

Several factors contributed to this decline, including the enforcement of the Caesar Act, severe sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime, the economic crisis in Lebanon that began in late 2019, and increased efforts to tighten border controls that limited smuggling.

Observations across various regions of Syria following the fall of the Assad regime highlight the shifting landscape of Captagon production through firsthand accounts from pharmacists and medical professionals in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Iraq.

In Damascus's ravaged streets, Captagon is marketed under innocent names like 'Activity Pills' and 'Happiness Tablets', illustrating its pervasiveness.

Statistics from the International Labour Organization for 2023 depict that 39.2 percent of the population of working age in Syria is unemployed, reflecting the hardships that have turned individuals into statistics amidst systematic despair.

For instance, 19-year-old Ahmad spends his days on a dilapidated sidewalk while nearby traders lure youth with promises of empowerment through drugs.

This story of addiction unfolds in shadows, as witnessed by individuals like Yasser, a 17-year-old from Aleppo whose experience with Captagon led him to a downward spiral.

Similarly, Ali, a 22-year-old from Deir ez-Zor, recounted how his employer introduced him to Captagon after a long day's work, leading to a dependency that deeply affected his familial relationships.

Moreover, the testimonies collected from across Syria depict an addiction epidemic that worsened after the fall of the regime.

Previously structured production networks transitioned into chaotic workshops, with increased fatalities from overdoses, showcasing the evolution from organized trade supported by pharmaceutical industries to disjointed production managed by former addicts and traffickers.

The healthcare landscape reflects a painful void in rehabilitation services.

A medical practitioner highlighted the growing number of addiction cases alongside the lack of resources, noting that there are currently only roughly ten addiction treatment centers in Syria despite a need for more than 150.

The severe destruction of over 70 percent of health facilities complicates access to emergency care.

The chaotic aftermath has allowed Captagon production to thrive outside government control, as remnants of the old regime have turned to exploit the vulnerability induced by conflict.

The collapse of organized production saw prices for the drugs surge again, creating a supply-demand imbalance that forces many users into desperate situations to fund their addiction.

In neighboring countries, the rising prevalence of Captagon has morphed from a Syrian issue into a regional security threat.

As the drug economy extends into Lebanon and Jordan, the trafficking networks that once thrived under Assad’s regime now seek new operational models in the absence of consistent oversight.

Countries like Jordan have intensified border control measures since 2015, employing advanced surveillance and fencing techniques.

However, Lebanon and Iraq face the more significant challenge of prevalent corruption among officials, raising concerns that Captagon production could be reestablished.

As the epidemic continues to evolve, the consequences manifest not only in health crises but also in broader societal destabilization across the region.