218 drug addicts join families after treatment in Helmand

LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): After receiving rehabilitation for the past four months, 218 drug addicts in southern Helmand province have been sent home, officials said on Thursday.

The drug addicts who were kept in the central jail of Helmand were sent home during a ceremony which was attended by Helmand Deputy Governor MulaviHizbullah, religious scholars and family members of the addicts.

MulaviHizbullah, talking to the ceremony, said that 218 drug addicts were being reunited with their families today after receiving four months of treatment and religious education at the province’s central prison.

These men were not only addicted to drugs, but were also accused of stealing from mosques, houses and shops, he said.

He said leaders of the Islamic Emirate had decided that drug addicts would be collected and sent to prisons for education and reform.

He called on the people to help the government in identifying such people so that they can be treated and rehabilitated.

Atif, director of Helmand Central Prison, called on the released prisoners to stop using drugs and crimes and live in the society as healthy human beings.

Assadullah and Mahmood, who were rehabilitated, told Pajhwok Afghan News that they had spent four months in the prison, during which they had endured many hardships in absence of drugs.

They said that they would leave smoking drugs in the future and start their normal life like other people.

Hundreds of other drug addicts are still under treatment in Helmand Central Jail, who would be freed after they quit their addiction.

mds/ma