Growing population of addicts worries Takhar residents

TALOQAN (Pajhwok): Some residents of northern Takhar province have expressed their concern over the rising number of drug addicts in Taloqan streets.

They urged the government to collect the addicts for rehabilitation but officials said the task was not easy in the given circumstances.

Some of the addicts told Pajhwok Afghan News unemployment among youth was the main reason for their addiction.

Syed Meraj, one of the addicts from Chah Aab district, said he had been consuming drugs for the past two decades.

Meraj added: “I had been to Dubai 20 years ago. I met there an addict’s family and slipped into the habit of doing drugs.

“On my return to the county, neither my family nor the government bothered about my rehabilitation. I always hope for rehabilitation.”

The addicts need a standard rehabilitation centre and professional doctors for treatment. The government must provide these facilities, they insist.

Ismail, another druggy, recalled: “I had migrated to Iran for employment about 15 years ago. I became addicted to drugs in Iran, where my life became miserable.”

He grumbled about his predicament and poverty, asking the caretaker government for paying due attention to the treatment of addicts.

Saifuddin, who also became addicted to the use of drugs in Iran, said: “I had gone there for work. Some years ago, I started using opium there. When I came back to Afghanistan, I began consuming crack and meth.

“Seeking rehabilitation, I have undergone treatment several times and became healthy. But due to unemployment, I have relapsed into addiction.”

Rahimullah, who has been smoking a variety of drugs for 12 years, blamed his plight on keeping junkies’ company. He also urged the government to focus on rehabilitating addicts.

Meanwhile, residents of Taloqan expressed their concern about the rising number of addicts in city streets.

Roz Mohammad, a shopkeeper, said: “We remain in trouble day and night because of addicts, who steal our groceries. The government is not paying any attention to the issue.”

Abdul Hamid, another shopkeeper, said hundreds of addicted youth could be seen in every street of Taloqan.

When shopkeepers went to mosques for prayers, he said, the addicts stole different items from their shops and used drugs there. He called the situation “very annoying”.

Mullah Abdul Basir, counter-narcotics head at the police headquarters, claimed 2,500 addicts had been rehabilitated since the political change in the country.

Attempts were underway to treat are another 1,600 stoners in the province, the official said.

Abdul Basir added a government-funded rehabilitation centre in Takhar had the capacity to treat 40 to 45 addicts a month.

Due to fund paucity and lack of assistance from international organisations, it is difficult to round up all addicts at once for treatment.

He assured they would not spare any effort for the treatment of addicts in Takhar province.

aw/mud