Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MoCN) on Tuesday stressed on national mobilization against narcotics and drug addiction.
The Minister of Counter Narcotics Salamat Azimi said that currently 1.5 million youth are addicted to drugs in Afghanistan. Thus, she said that youth should be mobilized against narcotics and drug addiction. Talking to reporters, Azimi said that it is duty of every Afghan, particularly young people, to take part in fight against drug addiction.
She said that the ministry sought support of ulema, civil society and media outlets to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction.
She also urged the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to cooperate with the ministry in raising public awareness, by adding a subject about dangers of drug addiction to the curriculum of universities.
The Deputy of Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Najia Tareq said that the ministry had 110 rehabilitation centers, where more than 25,000 drug addicts are receiving treatment.
She termed unemployment as one of the main reasons behind drug addiction. “Due to unemployment, 98 percent of addicts return to addiction after treatment,” she said.
Affairs Murtaza Hamid, an official in the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs said that the ministry has asked ullema to preach consequences of drug addiction. He said that it was the duty of every individual to fight against drug use. Hamid called on youth to fight against the notorious phenomena.
Mahmoud, a student of Medical University, blamed the government of negligence in fight against narcotics. He said that concerned organization should fight against drug mafia, if it is committed to put end to drug addiction. He said that the government should invest more in rehabilitation centers for drug addicts across the country.
It is worth mentioning that more than three million people are using drugs in Afghanistan. According to media reports, drugs are easily accessible in every part of Kabul city.
