Ghazni drug addicts say beaten during treatment

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Drug addicts who live under a bridge in the capital of southern Ghazni province claim they were beaten during treatment in order to quit taking drugs.

The population of drug addicts under the bridge over the river in Ghazni City is on the increase with each passing day, but no attention has been paid to this problem.

One of the addicts, who provided his name as Wali Mohammad told Pajwhok Afghan News that he started using drugs in Iran and continued the habit after failing to find job in Afghanistan on return from the neighboring country.

“When I became hopeless I chose to live beneath the bridge. But now I am tired of this life.”

Wali Mohammad said he was once admitted to a hospital in Kabul and then to the civil hospital in Ghazni, but he was beaten during treatment. “So I decided to return to the life under the bridge.” He said it was not possible to treat drug addicts by using force.

Another addict, who belonged to central Maidan Wardak province but refused to provide his name, was sitting with his three drug addicted brothers. “I am tired of life,” he said.

Taking a puff, he told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I went to Iran 10 years ago. I did not find a job in Iran but became a drug addict there.” “I don’t have land, home and wife, I have nothing, so I consume drugs,” he said, denying ever taken to hospital for treatment.”

Khan Mohammad, another addict, said he was once taken to hospital for treatment. But he was given a type of tablets that caused him severe headache and he was also beaten during the treatment. “That’s why we flee from hospital and return to this place because we see this life better.”

Rahimullah, who owns a shop near the river, said doing business had become a taunting task for him due to the presence of drug addicts. He said the individuals under the bridge often tried to steal things and find food and drugs for themselves.

“The wives of some addicts beg and visit their husbands under the bridge to give them money,” he said, asking the government to do something about the addicts.

Drug addicts rehabilitation hospital head Dr. Mohammad Ismail rejected if doctors at their hospital had ever beaten addicts during their treatment.

He said a large number of addicts had been treated but they returned to the habit due to the increased joblessness in Ghazni.

He said the government should provide jobs to rehabilitated addicts in order to reduce their number in Ghazni.

Local officials say nearly 40,000 individuals are addicted to drugs in Ghazni and their number could increase if not paid attention.

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