Substance abuse has become a silent crisis in many Afghan communities, exacerbated by poverty, displacement, trauma, and lack of treatment options. In response, SAFE Organization launched an in-depth survey in 2024 to map the current state of drug addiction in Herat and evaluate the effectiveness of local rehabilitation efforts.
The goal was to inform future planning for treatment, prevention, and reintegration services.
A total of 4,537 individuals were identified as receiving care in 19 rehabilitation centers.
Affected individuals span a wide age range: children, adolescents, adults, and elderly persons.
Rehabilitation centers are underfunded, often lacking specialized staff, equipment, and gender-sensitive services.
There is no centralized tracking system for recovery outcomes, relapse rates, or reintegration support.
Community awareness about addiction is still low, and stigma remains a major barrier to seeking help.
Quantify and profile addiction cases in Herat.
Identify available services and their limitations.
Lay groundwork for rehabilitation, awareness, and support programs.
Advocate for multi-stakeholder collaboration—including health providers, religious leaders, community councils, and donors.
Based on the survey results, SAFE Organization plans to:
Launch community-based addiction awareness campaigns in high-risk neighborhoods.
Develop partnerships with rehab centers for training, service support, and capacity building.
Design pilot rehabilitation support programs, especially for women and youth.
Advocate for government and donor involvement in expanding treatment services.
If you are a:
Donor interested in rehabilitation or mental health initiatives,
Healthcare professional or NGO looking to collaborate on addiction services,
Or community advocate aiming to raise awareness,
📧 Please contact us.
