Afghan rehab center helps 600 former drug users in rebuilding lives
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — A rehabilitation center in southern Afghanistan has helped 600 former drug users complete treatment and gain vocational skills to rebuild their lives, Tolonews reported.
The graduates, treated at the Kandahar Drug Rehabilitation Center, not only underwent addiction recovery but also learned basic literacy and acquired skills in trades such as tailoring. Officials say these measures aim to reduce relapse rates and improve chances for economic self-sufficiency.
“In this program, 600 individuals have been trained in six different vocational fields. Today, they will return to their homes and also receive the necessary work tools,” said Ubaidullah Waqad, director of labor at the Kandahar Department of Labor and Social Affairs.
Abdul Shakoor Shakeeb, head of the rehabilitation center, stressed that the program focuses on both mental and physical recovery. “In addition to physical treatment, we focus on the mental health of recovering individuals and provide them with rehabilitation training to help them reintegrate into society and lead a normal life,” he said.
Graduates expressed optimism about their future. “Great efforts have been made for our treatment here, and now we have regained our health. I have learned tailoring, and after leaving this center, I plan to start my own business,” said Farhad, one of the participants.
Another former patient, Gulab, said he hopes to deter others from addiction: “When I leave this place, I will advise all young people to give up drugs because it is a harmful practice. I plan to open a shop and start tailoring clothes for people.”
Talib, a 30-year-old from Uruzgan province, shared how addiction devastated his life before treatment. “Insha’Allah, I am now healthy, and I am happy that I can live with my family and never return to drugs. Addiction had severely affected my life,” he said.
Officials added that each graduate received a $200 vocational toolkit to help them start their own businesses or find employment.
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