KABUL, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A 1,000-bed drug treatment and rehabilitation center has been officially inaugurated in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, marking a significant expansion of the country's capacity to combat addiction, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Monday.
During the opening ceremony, authorities highlighted the leadership's unwavering commitment to strengthening and supporting specialized treatment facilities. The initiative aims to rescue individuals afflicted by substance dependence from this destructive affliction and facilitate their return to healthy, productive lives, the ministry said in a statement.
Built in full compliance with established medical standards, the center comprises 50 spacious treatment rooms and is comprehensively equipped with essential pharmaceuticals, advanced medical apparatus, and all necessary facilities required for effective rehabilitation.
Afghanistan became one of the world's foremost producers of opium and heroin during the two-decade presence of U.S. and allied forces, which concluded in August 2021. The legacy of that era includes millions of drug users, posing a profound public health and social challenge for the impoverished country. ■