UNODC Urges Integrated Treatment Approach for Drug Addicts in Afghanistan
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan has stated that to effectively address the situation of individuals suffering from drug use disorders, an integrated treatment approach must be adopted—one that simultaneously addresses poverty, unemployment, and the healthcare needs of these individuals.
In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the agency emphasized that treating drug dependence through short-term medical interventions alone will not be effective; the social and economic dimensions of patients’ lives must also be considered.
According to these organizations, many individuals struggling with addiction in Afghanistan face extensive challenges such as lack of job opportunities, livelihood difficulties, and limited access to healthcare services—issues that make treatment and reintegration into society more difficult.
UNODC and its partner agencies have called for strengthening support, educational, and employment programs alongside medical treatment services to ensure a more sustainable and effective recovery process. Afghanistan has faced one of the highest levels of drug use in the region in recent years, and experts stress the need for comprehensive and long-term strategies to control this crisis.
