Afghanistan has over 2.5m drug users: official

KABUL: Figures by the Ministry of Public Health reveal that Afghanistan has more than 2.5 million illicit drug users, and at least 500,000 of them are addicts.

An official at the ministry said the capacity of rehabilitation centers countrywide has increased to over 40,000 patients, from 2,000 five years ago. The official said that in order to overcome the problem, there is a need to curb drug trafficking. “These 2.5 million are in 34 provinces of Afghanistan, mostly in villages rather than urban areas,” he said, adding: “Widespread precautionary measures are required to curb drug addiction.”

He suggested that job opportunities and facilities for entertainment and sports should be provided for youth to keep them away from drugs. Kabul has many areas where drug addicts are often seen.