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17,000 Drug Addicts Collected in Past Month

At least 17,000 drug addicts, including 60 women, have been collected from across the ‌country over the last month.

Many of these drug addicts told TOLOnews that they became addicted to drugs due to poverty, unemployment and family violence, as well as spending time with other people who were already addicts.

Afghanistan has been one of the world's largest narcotics  producers over the past 20 years.

There is no exact and official figures, however it is estimated to that nearly 5 million addicted people are in Afghanistan.

Kabul has the highest numbers of drug addicts.

Located in west of Kabul, Pul-e-Sokhta was the main area for drug addicts.

The caretaker government recently conducted crackdowns and cleaned the area of drug users.

Officials within PD5 said they found 60 corpses during cleaning operations.

The Kabul municipality said it is planning to change the look of Pul-e-Sokhta into a green area.

"In around 7 or 8 days, a planting campaign will kick off. Good measures have been taken to green the area," said Nematullah Barakzai, a spokesman for the Kabul municipality.

The area was cleared of the presence of drug addicts but many are still looking for the missing members of their families.

Jamila told TOLOnews that she has been looking for her son, who was a drug addict and has disappeared.

"I am looking for my son to find out where he is? Is he alive or dead?" she said.

At least 60,000 drug addicts have been collected from the capital city of Kabul.

They were taken to the 1000-bed rehabilitation centers and other rehabilitation centers dedicated to children and women.

Shaheen, 22, from Logar province, used to live in Pul-e-Sokhta but is now under treatment.

Shaheen said that he left his home five years ago and came to Kabul due to insecurity.

"I came from Logar to Kabul.  They were raiding our houses there. We were fed up with it, I went with my friends to Pul-e-Sokhta and smoked crystal there, and ended up in such a situation," he said.

"I initially became addicted to Crystal. I hung around with my unwise friends and this is how much I suffered from it," said Fayaz, a drug addict.
Family violence and engagement with the drug addicts is said to be the main reason for these people to become drug addicts.

"I was like this for the past two to three years. They (relatives) were trying to separate me from my brother and I followed their guidelines, while later I noticed I was on the wrong path," said Moqeem, a drug addict. 

According to the Department of Counter-Narcotics of the Ministry of Interior, there were between 50 to 60 female drug addicts who have been taken to rehabilitation centers.

"It has been 25 years that I use drugs. I have been hospitalised here 22 times. It is the same as a cat and mouse game. Neither this government has been fixed nor have I," said Seddia, a journalist.

Sediqa said that she has been brought into the rehabilitation centers 22 times but has been relapsed.

Children are among these drug addicts.

According to officials at the 150-bed rehabilitation center, 26 children are under treatment currently.

"I came here myself. They were taking this brother (beside me) to the orphan house, then I came here myself," said Ihsan, a child.

 In consultation with families, the officials said, some of the children will be sent to orphan houses later.

Sarai Shamali is another crowded area of drug addicts in Kabul.

Although the caretaker government launched clearing operations in the area, there is a still a number of addicts.

The Ministry of Public Works said that it has launched professional and craft training for 600 drug addicts in the 5000-bed hospital treating drug addiction.

Notice: TOLOnews earlier wrote that 70,000 drug addicts have been collected, which was an editorial mistake and the exact figures are 17,000.

17,000 Drug Addicts Collected in Past Month

Afghanistan has been one of the world's largest narcotics  producers over the past 20 years.

تصویر بندانگشتی

At least 17,000 drug addicts, including 60 women, have been collected from across the ‌country over the last month.

Many of these drug addicts told TOLOnews that they became addicted to drugs due to poverty, unemployment and family violence, as well as spending time with other people who were already addicts.

Afghanistan has been one of the world's largest narcotics  producers over the past 20 years.

There is no exact and official figures, however it is estimated to that nearly 5 million addicted people are in Afghanistan.

Kabul has the highest numbers of drug addicts.

Located in west of Kabul, Pul-e-Sokhta was the main area for drug addicts.

The caretaker government recently conducted crackdowns and cleaned the area of drug users.

Officials within PD5 said they found 60 corpses during cleaning operations.

The Kabul municipality said it is planning to change the look of Pul-e-Sokhta into a green area.

"In around 7 or 8 days, a planting campaign will kick off. Good measures have been taken to green the area," said Nematullah Barakzai, a spokesman for the Kabul municipality.

The area was cleared of the presence of drug addicts but many are still looking for the missing members of their families.

Jamila told TOLOnews that she has been looking for her son, who was a drug addict and has disappeared.

"I am looking for my son to find out where he is? Is he alive or dead?" she said.

At least 60,000 drug addicts have been collected from the capital city of Kabul.

They were taken to the 1000-bed rehabilitation centers and other rehabilitation centers dedicated to children and women.

Shaheen, 22, from Logar province, used to live in Pul-e-Sokhta but is now under treatment.

Shaheen said that he left his home five years ago and came to Kabul due to insecurity.

"I came from Logar to Kabul.  They were raiding our houses there. We were fed up with it, I went with my friends to Pul-e-Sokhta and smoked crystal there, and ended up in such a situation," he said.

"I initially became addicted to Crystal. I hung around with my unwise friends and this is how much I suffered from it," said Fayaz, a drug addict.
Family violence and engagement with the drug addicts is said to be the main reason for these people to become drug addicts.

"I was like this for the past two to three years. They (relatives) were trying to separate me from my brother and I followed their guidelines, while later I noticed I was on the wrong path," said Moqeem, a drug addict. 

According to the Department of Counter-Narcotics of the Ministry of Interior, there were between 50 to 60 female drug addicts who have been taken to rehabilitation centers.

"It has been 25 years that I use drugs. I have been hospitalised here 22 times. It is the same as a cat and mouse game. Neither this government has been fixed nor have I," said Seddia, a journalist.

Sediqa said that she has been brought into the rehabilitation centers 22 times but has been relapsed.

Children are among these drug addicts.

According to officials at the 150-bed rehabilitation center, 26 children are under treatment currently.

"I came here myself. They were taking this brother (beside me) to the orphan house, then I came here myself," said Ihsan, a child.

 In consultation with families, the officials said, some of the children will be sent to orphan houses later.

Sarai Shamali is another crowded area of drug addicts in Kabul.

Although the caretaker government launched clearing operations in the area, there is a still a number of addicts.

The Ministry of Public Works said that it has launched professional and craft training for 600 drug addicts in the 5000-bed hospital treating drug addiction.

Notice: TOLOnews earlier wrote that 70,000 drug addicts have been collected, which was an editorial mistake and the exact figures are 17,000.

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