Ghazni drug addicts say they want treatment

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): A number of drug addicts in southern Ghazni province on Tuesday said they wanted to be treated but the authorities were showing no interest in this regard.

Mohammad Akram, a resident of Ghazni City, the provincial capital, who is using drugs for years, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he along with his other associates referred to a rehab center to quit the habit but the center did not accept them.

He said “Though some of my friends stayed for two months in the rehab center, yet they did not get treatment.”

Waheed, another drug addict, told Pajhwok he was tired of consuming drugs and had decided to shun the habit.

He said, “I am ready if someone takes me to the rehab center, but there is no one to help me and the rehab center’s officials do not admit me alone.”

Khatira, who has been using drugs for the last 40 years, told Pajhwok: “My conscience no longer admits to stay with other drug addicts under bridges, I want treatment.”

A number of other drug addicts held similar views and urged the government to facilitate their treatment.

On the other hand, residents of Ghazni province say drug addicts create various issues for them.

Saleh Mohammad, a resident of Pas Hesar locality of the provincial capital, said drug addicts lived near their residential homes under a bridge.

He said, “The drug users sit there all the time and our children watch them and a day would come when our children will indulge in the unhealthy habit.”

A number of other Ghazni city residents expressed made comments and urged the government to address the issue.

Provincial Civil Health director Dr. Zahir Shah Nikmal said they provided treatment to drug addict based on facilities available.

“We have facilities for 50 drug addicts but their number is much larger compared to our current facilities.”

Nikmal said the issue had been shared with the ministry concerned to a make decision on treatment of drug addicts.

pk/ma