KABUL (SW) – Officials from the Ministry of Public Health stated that tens of thousands of drug addicts have been treated in the past three years.
On Wednesday, During the commemoration event on occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, June 26, Abdul Wali Haqani, Deputy Minister for Service Delivery at the ministry, said that 61 dedicated addiction treatment centers are currently operational in Afghanistan. These centers treat over 30,000 drug addicts annually.
“Since the rise of the Islamic Emirate, 54,347 drug addicts have been treated. The annual treatment capacity of these centers exceeds 30,800 individuals. Despite limited resources and equipment, these centers have provided good healthcare services,” he explained during the press program held in Kabul.
Shams Al-Rahman Minhaj, a representative of the Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Narcotics Directorate, said that the Islamic Emirate has made significant progress in combating drug addiction through the prohibition of drug cultivation and production, as well as the treatment of addicts.
He noted, “Since the Islamic Emirate took power, 114,340 drug addicts have been collected and sent to addiction treatment centers. In 2023 year, 33,226 individuals have been collected, with 1,800 graduating from technical and vocational centers.”
Islamic Emirate authorities emphasized the need for international cooperation in the fight against drugs.
Jamshid Tanwali, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed concern over the annual increase in the number of drug users worldwide. He said Afghanistan must establish laws and control its borders to effectively combat drugs. “In 2011, there were 240 million drug addicts globally; this number rose to 296 million in 2021. An effective response requires a comprehensive and multi-sectoral approach. Given the global increase, drug use in Afghanistan might also have risen,” he added.
Meanwhile, some drug addicts currently undergoing treatment urged the government to provide job opportunities after their rehabilitation.
Haroon, a 27-year-old who became addicted to drugs seven years ago, said, “I have been under treatment for 28 days. Everyone around me is worried and distressed. I want to recover and earn a Halal living for my family. We need job opportunities because addiction stems from unemployment.”
June 26th is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to promote drug control and international action against drug trafficking.
