Afghanistan releases 200 recovering addicts, pushes for social reintegration
Taliban-led Afghan government marks milestone in addiction treatment, urging families to support recovering patients
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — In a renewed effort to address Afghanistan’s drug addiction crisis, the Taliban-led Afghan government has announced the release and family reintegration of 200 individuals who recently completed rehabilitation programs in Kabul.
The initiative was highlighted at a ceremony attended by Mawlawi Abdul Wali Haqqani, Deputy Minister for Health Services, who framed the development as not only a medical success but a social and cultural milestone.
“This is a victory for healthcare, for Afghan society, and for our Islamic values,” he said during the event.
According to the state-run National Addiction Treatment Program, the effort is part of a broader push to expand recovery services across the country.
The program currently oversees 67 treatment centers serving men, women, and youth, with an annual capacity to treat more than 34,000 patients.
Local media reports say the ministry has also scaled up public education campaigns through mosques, schools, and universities, aiming to reduce the stigma of addiction and promote early prevention.
Mawlawi Inaamullah Ammar, head of the national program, emphasized the need for greater community support and long-term care.
“Addiction is a treatable disease,” he said. “But families and society must remain engaged to prevent relapse.”
Former addicts also spoke at the event. Fawadullah, a resident of Laghman province, thanked healthcare staff and the Islamic Emirate for their support. He urged young people to stay away from drugs and focus on rebuilding their lives and families.
This latest discharge follows a similar effort five months ago when 150 recovering addicts were reunited with their families. Since returning to power, the Taliban has emphasized treatment and vocational training as dual pillars of its rehabilitation strategy—often blending religious teachings with medical care.
Drug addiction remains one of Afghanistan’s most persistent public health challenges, worsened by decades of war, unemployment, and the country’s role in global opium production. But officials say the focus is now shifting from punishment to recovery, with renewed investments in long-term treatment and reintegration.
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