135,000 drug addicts rehabilitated in 3 years

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Interior (MoI) says approximately 135,000 drug addicts have received treatment across Afghanistan over the past three years, with a billion afghanis set aside annually for their rehabilitation.

Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar, the counter-narcotics director, made the remarks at a ceremony at the Agush Rehabilitation Centre in Kabul's Pul-i-Charkhi area.

At the event, 32 recovering individuals graduated from Quran recitation and Tajweed courses.

Hamkar said the annual cost of treating addicts amounted to one billion afghanis, earmarked in the caretaker government’s budget.

Maulvi Abdul Rahman Qasim, the deputy head of the counter-narcotics department, said 11 rehabilitation centres were currently active in 10 provinces, with the capacity to treat thousands of addicts.

These centres are located in Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Balkh, Nimroz, Kunduz, Ghazni, Farah, Helmand and Daikundi provinces.

Qasim noted over the past three years, 135,000 addicts had been treated nationwide. At present, 13,752 individuals are undergoing rehabilitation in several provinces.

Ahmad Farid, a resident of Kabul who has been rehabilitated, shared his personal story. Four years ago, he had turned to drugs due to unemployment.

He expressed gratitude for his recovery and also learned Quran recitation and Tajweed during his rehabilitation.

Farid encouraged young people to avoid using drugs, emphasising on the importance of seeking help and pursuing a positive path.

sa/mud