{"id":924,"date":"2017-05-12T15:08:34","date_gmt":"2017-05-12T14:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.economistes-arabes.org\/fr\/?p=924"},"modified":"2017-06-02T15:39:59","modified_gmt":"2017-06-02T14:39:59","slug":"war-on-drugs-what-is-captagon-isis-drug-dubbed-chemical-courage-meant-to-treat-sleeping-disorders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.economistes-arabes.org\/fr\/war-on-drugs-what-is-captagon-isis-drug-dubbed-chemical-courage-meant-to-treat-sleeping-disorders\/","title":{"rendered":"WAR ON DRUGS What is Captagon? Isis drug dubbed \u2018chemical courage\u2019 meant to treat sleeping disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"

The original article<\/a><\/p>\n

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WAR ON DRUGS<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Captagon? Isis drug dubbed \u2018chemical courage\u2019 meant to treat sleeping disorders<\/h1>\n<\/section>\n
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The stimulant was banned in Britain in the 80s – but it’s still a popular recreational drug in the Middle East<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n

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By Josie Griffiths<\/span><\/div>\n
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31st May 2017\u00a0Click\u00a0<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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ISIS fighters have been using\u00a0a drug called Captagon to stay alert in battle.<\/p>\n

So what is the substance, and what effect does it have on users? Here\u2019s what you need to know\u2026<\/p>\n

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\"Captagon<\/p>\n

GETTY IMAGES<\/div>\n
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Captagon (pictured right, with a cup of cocaine) is a type of stimulant made up of a combination of amphetamine and theophylline<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What is Captagon?<\/h2>\n

Captagon is a psychostimulant which is made of a combination of amphetamine and theophylline.<\/p>\n

It is just one brand name of a group of drugs known as Fenethylline.<\/p>\n

The drug came into the mainstream in 1961, and was used for around 25 years as a milder alternative to amphetamines.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/p>\n

REUTERS<\/div>\n
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The drug is said to be used by ISIS fighters in Syria \u2013 leading it to be labelled \u2018chemical courage\u2019 or the \u2018jihadi drug\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was used to treat kids with\u00a0ADHD<\/a>\u00a0and, less commonly, for\u00a0narcolepsy<\/a>\u00a0and depression.<\/p>\n

Unlike amphetamines, Captagon does not increase the patient\u2019s blood pressure \u2013 meaning it\u00a0could be used to treat those with cardiovascular conditions.<\/p>\n

However, it is highly addictive \u2013 and became illegal in most countries in 1986.<\/p>\n

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GETTY IMAGES<\/div>\n
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The pills became illegal in Britain in the 80s \u2013 but are still widely used in the Middle East<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What effect does Captagon have?<\/h2>\n

Captagon keeps users awake for long periods of time.<\/p>\n

It also makes users feel energetic and happy \u2013 which is why it has been dubbed \u201cchemical courage\u201d.<\/p>\n

Lebanese psychiatrist Ramzi Haddad told\u00a0the Guardian<\/a>\u00a0the drug produces \u201ca kind of euphoria \u2013 you\u2019re talkative, you don\u2019t sleep, you don\u2019t eat, you\u2019re energetic\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\"Captagon<\/p>\n

ALAMY<\/div>\n
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Captagon helps ISIS fighters stay energetic and happy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is Captagon still available illegally?<\/h2>\n

You\u2019d struggle to get your hands on it here in Britain but Captagon is\u00a0a popular recreational drug in the Middle East.<\/p>\n

It\u00a0is made cheaply, with a street value of between \u00a34 and \u00a315, in countries including Jordan, Labanon, Turkey and Syria. Fake versions of the drug are also widely available.<\/p>\n

In October 2015, Prince Abdel\u00a0Mohsen Bin Walid Bin Abdulaziz, of Saudi Arabia, and four others were arrested in Beirut on suspicion of drug trafficking.<\/p>\n

Two tons of Captagon\u00a0pills and some cocaine were allegedly found aboard a private jet scheduled to fly to the Saudi capital of Riyadh.<\/p>\n

How is Captagon being used in Syria?<\/h2>\n

Addiction to Captagon is rife within the ranks of ISIS in Syria, according to\u00a0a probe into the \u201cjihadi drug\u201d<\/a>\u00a0by the Saudi\u00a0Pharmaceutical Society.<\/p>\n

Suicide bombers, like\u00a0Manchester terrorist Salman Abedi<\/a>, are said to be pumped full of drugs before they are sent on a mission, giving\u00a0them red eyes and a distinctive\u00a0look of confusion.<\/p>\n

The drug turns the terrorists into\u00a0\u201cunforgiving killing machines\u201d,\u00a0Arab News reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The drugs often leave extremists suffering from a crippling addiction, further boosting their reliance on their cruel jihadi masters.<\/p>\n

According to reports, a growing number of demoralised Syrian citizens have also resorted to taking the drug.<\/p>\n

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GETTY IMAGES<\/div>\n
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A massive shipment of the drugs were seized at France\u2019s Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport earlier this year<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A massive shipment of the drug was\u00a0seized in France<\/a>\u00a0for the first time earlier this year, sparking fears that ISIS could be forming Mafia-style organised crime gangs in the country.<\/p>\n

Some 350,000 tablets of the amphetamine-based Captagon were first found at Charles de Gaulle on January 4.<\/p>\n

On February 22, a further 300,000 were found \u2013 making a total of 135kgs of Captagon with a street value of \u00a31.4 million.<\/p>\n

In both cases, the drugs were hidden within industrial steel moldings destined for Saudi Arabia, via the Czech Republic, and Turkey.<\/p>\n

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