Drug addicts rehab center closed since last year in Baghlan

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): The number of drug addicts in northern Baghlan province has increased to 60,000 as their only rehabilitation center in the province has been shut since last year.

Dr. Rahm Khoda Noori, director of the 30-bed drug addicts’ treatment hospital in Pul-i-Khumri, told Pajhwok Afghan News the number of addicts in the province had surged compared to previous years.

He said during the previous regime, the number of addicts was 55,000, but now their strength had increased to 60,000 people.

According to him, for the past one year, the treatment center for drug addicts remained closed due to financial problems and it has been seven months since the doctors and other employees have not received their salaries.

“Though our staff has not been paid, doctors continue to treat and advise addicts,” he added.

Lal Gul, one of the drug addicts, told Pajhwok that he used narcotics for 15 years but currently he wanted to be rehabilitated.

According to government officials, currently 3.5 million people are addicted to drugs in the country and efforts are being made to treat them.

sa/ma