Over 35,000 drug users treated, reintegrated in Afghanistan in one year: Official
Kabul, Dec 31
More than 35,000 individuals struggling with drug addiction have completed treatment and rejoined their families across Afghanistan over the past year, government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Wednesday.
The 35,228 recovered addicts received medical treatment and rehabilitation before being reintegrated into society, Mujahid said, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Afghan government has enforced bans on poppy cultivation and narcotics trafficking as part of a comprehensive campaign to combat drug abuse and its societal impacts.
On December 21, provincial police headquarters stated that Afghan counter-narcotics police have destroyed a drug processing laboratory and arrested one suspect in connection with the case in the eastern Laghman province.
Acting on a tip-off, police carried out an operation in Mehtarlam district on December 20, where they uncovered a drug processing facility. A large quantity of materials and equipment used for heroin production was seized and destroyed at the site, the statement said.
On November 14, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said that Afghan police have arrested a suspected drug smuggler and confiscated illicit narcotics during an operation in the northern Takhar province.
According to the official, the suspect was detained while attempting to transport crystal methamphetamine and other chemicals used in heroin production to Taluqan, the provincial capital, where he allegedly planned to sell the materials.
The suspect has been placed in custody for further investigation, the spokesman added.
Afghanistan has intensified counter-narcotics measures in recent years, launching targeted operations against trafficking networks, clandestine laboratories, and illegal markets.
On November 9, provincial police spokesman Gul Mohammad Qudrat said that Afghan counter-narcotics forces had confiscated 170 kg of opium poppy and apprehended two suspected smugglers in the western Nimroz province.
The seizure took place during a targeted operation in the Zanjer Sharqi area along the Zaranj-Delaram highway, the official said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While the number is impressive, I hope the focus is on sustainable rehabilitation and not just statistics. Reintegration is the hardest part. Do they have job programs? Community support? Otherwise, the relapse rate will be high. Our own de-addiction centers in India struggle with this.
The real test is stopping the supply. Destroying labs and arresting smugglers is good, but as long as there's demand and poverty, this problem will persist. Afghanistan has been the source of a lot of opium for decades. A stable, peaceful Afghanistan is in everyone's interest, including India's. 🙏
I read this with mixed feelings. On one hand, helping addicts is always humane. On the other, given the source is a Taliban spokesperson, I'm skeptical about the transparency. Independent verification would be needed. The war on drugs requires genuine political will, not just PR.
The mention of crystal meth is worrying. That stuff is pure poison and its spread is a new threat. If it's being produced there, it can easily flow into neighboring regions, including ours. Our agencies need to be extra vigilant on the borders. This isn't just Afghanistan's problem.
Every person saved from addiction is a win. We should applaud that, regardless of politics. So many families in Punjab and Manipur know the pain of drug abuse firsthand. If they are making progress, good for them. Hope they continue and find peace and stability. 🤲
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