More than 1,200 drug addicts are being treated at a state prison in the western province of Herat, local officials said.

The drug users are being treated by governmental institutions in cooperation with private sector companies.

The drug users said they were grateful about their treatment.

“I am very happy that I will return to my family. God willing, I will not repeat this action,” said Ahmad, a drug user.

“When I went home, they would kick me out because I was a drug user. I had terrible days,” said Ahmad Shah, a drug user.

During the past several months over 2,000 drug users were brought to the facility in Herat, of whom 800 have recovered and joined their families, officials said.

Provincial Governor Mawlawi Noor Ahmad Islam Jar said that these drug users had been intentionally persuaded to use drugs.

“You were not and are not criminals. Only due to life problems and other biased plans were you persuaded to get addicted to drugs,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Herat Chamber of Industry and Mines pledged to recruit many of these drug addicts to prevent them from distracting themselves with drug use.

“Serious efforts are underway. Some of the factories are ready to recruit these (people). I hope the process continues so that everyone can work,” said Hameedullah Khadim, head of the chamber.

This comes as a charity committee of Ahmad Shah Faqiri is providing financial support for the treatment of drug users during Ramadan.

“We host them. We provide food for them for one month,” said Meer Ahmad Bahra, a member of the charity.