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Afghanistan produces 80% of the world’s opium, according to United Nations reports.
Drug use and addiction affect millions of people living in that country. In this part, in the context of several television reports on the drug addiction crisis in Afghanistan, the Afghan service of VOA was in Bamyan province, 180 kilometers west of the capital Kabul, closely following the effects of the spread of drug addiction in rural areas.
Bamyan Province is known for its beautiful landscapes. About 20 years ago in that country (March 2001), the Taliban destroyed two ancient Buddha statues, which were the largest in the world.
The population of this area suffers from drug addiction. Local officials say about 50,000 people are affected by the addiction and its consequences.
In the north, in more rural areas, the drug is even more prevalent than in the central part of Bamyan province. The Waras District is the epicenter of drug use.
This area is surrounded by hills and green valleys. Poverty prevails everywhere, lacking good schools, clinics, hospitals and technology, good belonging to modern societies.
The morning sun shines over the village of Bazobala which consists of 80 families. Here, everyone, young and old, women, men and children are addicted to drugs.
Most people here use drugs together, even openly. The lives of the villagers are drug-related. When it comes down to it, they use it. When asked why, they cite many reasons. Like the 18-year-old drug addict in the village of Bazobala Shuqol:
“Unemployment and poverty pushed me towards drugs. I went to Iran, very far from home. I was unemployed and the situation was bad, so I became addicted to drugs. When I returned to the country, I thought the situation would be better. The situation is serious here as well. “
Ali Yawar is a resident of Bazobala Shuqol village:
“I have been consuming drugs for 15 years. “I started with heroin and now I use crystal meth.”
Drugs also affect children. Parents not only consume drugs but also give them to their children. In addition to heroin, opium and methamphetamine, addicts in this village are known to be users of other drugs, such as tramadol painkillers. A less expensive alternative than heroin and opium.
“For those who are big buyers, like me, the costs are high. Use one to one half pack which costs 32 cents. “Tramadol 500 is more expensive,” says one drug addict.
Women are also addicted to drugs in the village of Pezhandur. In many families in this area women use drugs along with men and children. Fatima has been addicted to drugs for 30 years. Fatima, her sons and her husband are drugged together:
“I am 65 years old, asthmatic and sick. I work in the desert and in the mountains until late. “I am very weak and my husband is also ill.”
The villagers are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. Young people go to the mountains to gather food for the animals, and the children are shepherds.
The life of these villages is influenced by drugs coming from neighboring provinces. Residents say they have constantly complained to law enforcement but there has been no reaction.
Villagers are seeking government attention, assistance and a rehabilitation center for drug addicts.
Waras District has a clinic with 20 beds, clearly without the capacity to treat all the interdependents of the district with tens of thousands of inhabitants. Local officials want more. Qasim Ali is the Chairman of the People’s Council of Peshandur and Bazobala Area:
“Everyone is addicted to drugs. These people are unfortunate. The reason is poverty and unemployment. The government does not care about these people. I urge the government, the international community and human rights organizations to build a hospital in Shiwqol. The hospital must have 100 beds or more for these people to be treated. ” / VOA /
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