GHAZNI CITY (SW) – Despite the punitively harsh winter, hundreds of drug addicts can be seen laying around the Ghazni River.
Raising concerns over the growing number of drug addicts in Ghazni, Enayatullah Rifat, head of the directorate of counter-narcotics, said despite the fact poppy is not cultivated here, but the growing insecurity has led to the spread of addiction here.
The local civil society believes growing number of drug addicts in Ghazni has also led to surge in crimes and robberies in the province.
Zahir Shah Nekmal, director public health, said up to 60 addicts are receiving treatment here on daily basis. He said more than 800 addicts were treated in Ghazni last year. He, however, feared lack of job opportunities and security would mean many of the treated addicts would resume consumption of the drugs.
A large portion of the drug addicts in the province are young men, who said they got hooked to the drugs after being in the company of addicted people.
ENDS
