Tuesday April 14, 2015
Kabul (BNA) Based on the survey conducted recently, the number of addicts to narcotic in Afghanistan has been reached from 1.3 million to 1.4 million.
The fresh figures of Narco-addicts to Afghanistan have been released by counter-narcotics ministry and the administration for counter crime and narcotics of Afghanistan as well as the UN administration for Counter Crime and narcotics. The UNDC or the UN Administration for Counter Crime and Narcotics regards existence of this number addicts in Afghanistan as a matter of concern and says that this issue has its own economic and social harms. The spokesman of UNDC, Hashem Wahdatyar told media that you think that if every addict to narcotic in Afghanistan to use worth $ one every day, $ 1.3 million is circulating in Afghanistan in this respect. This not only harms economy of Afghanistan, but it causes social disorder as well. These individuals are unemployed completely, when their money spent, they are compelled to gain money through theft and committing other crimes. So, it effects on all aspects of life and is a matter of great concern. Wahdatyar added that because of increment of poppy cultivation, easy access to narcotics, rate of unemployment in Afghanistan and family disputes cause the number of addicts to narcotics be increased. It is necessary that either various government and non-government institutions or international community should do two works.
First, those who are addicted vast steps should be taken towards their treatment and second, the awareness should be given till other individuals not to be addicted to this disease. According to the UNDC department, last year, the poppy cultivation has been increased in Afghanistan comparing previous years.
The spokesman of this administration has said that in 2014, 224000 hectares of land was cultivated with poppy in Afghanistan. The authorities regard reduction on investment in Afghanistan as the reason for weakness of economy in this country. According to them, as a result of this, unemployment is increasing in Afghanistan. At the same time, the authorities of counter-narcotics ministry regard weakness of agriculture and lack of good market for domestic products as the reasons behind increment of poppy cultivation. Acting counter-narcotics minister, Haroon Rashid has said that this administration has certain programs to treat the addicts and prevent from addiction to narcotics in Afghanistan. He added that we have much all out and certain programs for prevention from addiction and treatment and recon traction of them to the society. One plan that is very useful is including of addicted treatment in health packages of ministry of public health and we have five-year programs for capacity-building till the addicted individuals live in villages and suburb areas, the new government of Afghanistan is committing in this connection and certain and all out programs are ready for implementation.
A number of addicts in the region of central Silo of Kabul city said, that they are sorry for addiction of people to narcotics as narcotics make healthy people disabled and burden on the society. They also say that the government of Afghanistan especially the health institutions that are established in the capital and provinces should treat the addicts in a manner that they not to addict to narcotics again. The UN says that referring to addiction after treatment is one of other reasons that the member of addicts not to be reduced in Afghanistan. The recent report released by ministry of counter-narcotics and the UNDC regard insufficient the number of centers for Narco-treatment in this country. The Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan also says that need is felt for increment of treating centers. But public health minister, Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz told media that the government financial possibilities in this respect are very limited.
Now, about 2500 beds are existed in Afghanistan for treatment of Narco-addicts. But, it is insufficient. The member of these beds should be increased. The government budget and financial possibility for increment of beds is limited. We need a joint program and cooperation of donors and we should reach in understanding with them in the connection till this social and economic problem is removed from our country. A number of Kabul citizens told, that if the government not to pay attention to the situation of Narco-addicts in Afghanistan, our problem would increase daily. A student of Kabul University Marzia said in the connection that the addicted individuals use the injective items for its smoking. The garbage not only polluted the environment, the virus of HIV also provided through this, it is a great danger for those families who are ferrying around it. According to this citizen the ministry of public health should increase the number of health centers in Afghanistan and collect all addicts through all possibilities are available. The witnesses believe that it is necessary that serious measures should be taken in hand for reduction of referring to narcotics, fighting with Narco-mafia as well as Narco-traffickers in the country.
Shukria Kohistani
