Ghor athletes persuade addicts to quit drugs, turn to sports

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Some boxing athletes in western Ghor province have launched a campaign since last weeks encouraging people to quit drugs and turn to sports.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Abdul Qasim Ferdawsi, a boxer, said during the ongoing campaign, they encouraged many addicts to quit drugs.

He said: “We visited many drug addicts during the last two weeks and encouraged them to quit the harmful practice, turn to sports and live a dignified life. We advised them to go to drug addicts rehab clinics and treat themselves so they can recover and reunited with their families.”

He said it was his message for all young people to make sports their daily routine and stay away from drug addiction.

However, some drug addicts, who spend difficult days and nights along the Harirod River, say their families had abandoned them and they had no other choice but to continue using drugs.

Mawladad, one of these drug addicts, told Pajhwok Afghan News that he was once treated in a hospital, but after a 40-day period and he resumed using drugs and now he led a difficult life.

He said: “I went to hospital, but days after discharged, I started consuming drugs again. Unseen by his family and relatives, I can’t quit this habit. I have to use the substances as long as I am alive.”

He cited poverty, unemployment and migration to Iran as reasons for his addiction and asked other young people not to use drugs as the habit would destroy their lives.

Abdul Hakim, 38, another drug addict, who has been smoking drugs since last 12 years, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “I destroyed my life because of ignorance, I lost my wife and children, I do not know where they are and what are they doing and this harmful practice took away everything from me.”

He added their easy access to drugs prevented them from quitting the habit.

Abdul Hakim added: “There are many drug sellers, if we don’t use drugs, we go crazy and after using it, we become calm and feel no pain.”

He praised the athletes for their sympathy and encouragement and asked the youth not to turn to consuming narcotics and continue their normal life.

sa/ma