Captagon: Militia's Corrupt Industry And Losingly Trade

The 21-year-old student, N. A., was engrossed in reading and studying university references, especially since the exams were approaching despite the ongoing war. He felt exhausted and drowsy, so he wanted to relieve himself of the fatigue, but sleep was overwhelming him. As he was in urgent need of time to prepare for his exams, he took the advice of a bad friend at the university who suggested using those pills, considering them to be a magical solution despite their high price.
N. A. is just one example of a story that resembles dozens, if not hundreds, or even thousands, of stories in the absence of accurate statistics.
The militias of the now-dissolved Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted university students and young people fighting in their ranks, especially mercenaries recruited from some neighboring countries. They engaged in the production and distribution of narcotics to create a false sense of heroism among the fighters and prevent them from thinking about the inevitable death they were facing.
In a significant blow to the fight against drugs, the General Intelligence Service, in collaboration with the "Al-Muntasir Billah" mobile unit and the Khartoum State Security (Khartoum North Security Department), succeeded in uncovering a huge secret factory for the production of Captagon pills, which was hidden inside an unfinished three-story building in the New Industrial Area near the Rotana Flour Mill in the Jili area. This factory had been used in secret to manufacture and distribute drugs.

The raid resulted in the seizure of large quantities of raw materials used in drug production, estimated to be worth $3 million, along with pill-pressing equipment such as "Abu Halalein" and "Abu Najmah," in addition to large amounts of ready-to-manufacture mixed materials, which were also estimated to be worth $3 million. According to estimates, the seized materials were enough to produce 700 million Captagon pills.
The discovery of this factory was a severe blow to the RSF militia, which had relied on drug trafficking as a primary funding source. As security forces continue to pursue such activities, there is hope that the spread of this phenomenon, which threatens the future of generations to come, can be minimized.
The militia had been using these pills to stimulate their fighters during battles and maintain psychological control over them. Additionally, they were distributing them among civilians to gain financial profits through local promotion and smuggling to neighboring countries.
Dr. Abdel-Gadir Mohamed Ahmed Issa, a psychiatrist and addiction specialist, confirmed that treating Captagon addiction requires a specialized process aimed at helping patients recover and regain their health and happiness.
He explained that the treatment process includes several stages, beginning with a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition to determine the appropriate treatment plan. This is followed by withdrawal treatment using medical drugs to alleviate and treat psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, which are similar to schizophrenia, as well as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders that may accompany this period.
Dr. Abdel-Gadir emphasized the essential role of psychotherapy through individual and group sessions to help patients overcome the urge to relapse, in addition to promoting overall health through proper nutrition and physical activities. He stressed the importance of psychological and social support in preventing relapse and achieving sustainable recovery.
Doctors have stated that treating Captagon addiction is not easy, as addicts experience strong withdrawal symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Patients require intensive psychological and physical treatment to restore their normal life.
It is worth mentioning that Captagon is a substance used to treat narcolepsy (a sleep disorder) and other sleep disturbances. It contains Modafinil, which stimulates the central nervous system and enhances wakefulness and attention. It is sometimes used to treat other sleep disorders, such as interrupted sleep and nighttime sleep disorders. It also improves wakefulness and attention in people suffering from sleep disorders, fatigue, or exhaustion.
Captagon gives its users a sense of energy and alertness, but it leads to severe side effects such as chronic insomnia, hallucinations, and extreme mood swings. Prolonged use can cause brain cell damage, heart problems, and severe psychological breakdowns.
Captagon was first manufactured in the 1960s as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It was considered a safer alternative to amphetamines, but doctors soon realized that its side effects outweighed its benefits, leading to its ban in most countries by the 1980s.
In recent years, Captagon trafficking has become an international concern, with the drug being smuggled across borders and used as a financing tool for armed groups. Drug seizures at ports and airports have increased significantly, prompting governments to tighten security and impose strict penalties on traffickers.
Despite the ban, drug dealers found a lucrative market for Captagon, especially in conflict zones, where it is used to enhance focus and endurance among fighters. Reports indicate that secret laboratories have started producing counterfeit versions of the drug using dangerous chemicals like phenethylamine, caffeine, and methamphetamine, making it stronger and more addictive.
Undoubtedly, the state has a significant responsibility in establishing rehabilitation programs for these youths, whether they are university students or former members of the RSF militias who have returned to their homeland before their hands were stained with the blood of innocents. The state should work on treating them. As the state prepares to announce its victory and the defeat of these rebellious forces, there is a need to develop integrated plans and programs for their rehabilitation, psychological and social treatment, ensuring their reintegration into society and turning them into active forces contributing to nation-building, as they are the heirs and future of this country.

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