Poppy crop eradicated on 2,800 acres in Baghlan

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Poppy cultivated on 2,800 acres of land has been destroyed in northern Baghlan province and nearly 4,000 drug addicts rehabilitated during the past one year, officials said on Thursday.

Rohullah Rohani, Baghlan counter narcotics department chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News poppy cultivated on nearly 2,800 acres of land was eradicated during a poppy eradication campaign.

Rohani said: “Seasonal poppy eradication campaign is conducted every year, but some of the cultivated poppy may be missed from the campaign. Officials of counter narcotics department destroyed poppy and hashish crops in Andarab and Tala wa Barfak districts of Baghlan.”

The department also treated nearly 4,000 drug addicts in rehabilitation centres during the past one year, he added.

Rohani added: “About 3,754 addicts were rehabilitated during the past three years, today 45 rehabilitated people reunited with their families and the process of addicts’ treatment will last until all drug addicts are cured in the province.”

A treated addict, Nasrullah, said he underwent treatment twice in the past but returned to the habit due to lack of employment.

Nasrullah asked the government to provide the youth with employment opportunities because it was the only way to get rid of addition permanently.

Without revealing exact figures of addicts in Baghlan, officials said in the past said about 50,000 people consumed drugs in Baghlan province.

aw/ma