Residents want drug rehab centre reactivated

NEILI (Pajhwok): A number of drug addicts and residents grumble about the absence the of a rehabilitation centre in central Daikundi province.

However, the Public Health Department promises a 40-bed drug addiction treatment center will be reactivated in Neili City soon.

Ghulam Hussain Ahmadi, a resident of Daikundi, said a 20-bed treatment centre had been functional till last year but after the caretaker government’s takeover, the hospital has remained shut.

He revealed his 24-year-old son had been dependent on heroin. But he is unable to prevent his son consuming drugs a problem being experienced by many families due to lack of a proper treatment centre.

Syed Reza, hailing from Serak village, complained he, his wife and three children were using drugs.

He started taking drugs during his stay in neighbouring Iran nearly 20 years ago. His spouse also slipped into addiction eight years ago and so did his children.

Reza urged the government to facilitate their treatment as they could not afford admission to private rehabilitation facilities.

Maulvi Dr. Mohammad Qasim Inqiadi, director of public health, told Pajhwok in near future, the 20-bed treatment centre would be upgraded to 40 beds and it would resume activities.

Without giving figures, the Public Health Department acknowledges a spike in the number of drug addicts in Daikundi.

sa/mud