KHOST - A 20-bed hospital for treatment of drug addicts was inaugurated in Khost province, local officials said on Saturday.

Addressing an inauguration ceremony, the head of the Khost counter-narcotics department, Mirna Gul Taniwal, said the cultivation of poppy crop was “zero” and smuggling of drugs had been stopped in the province.

"The new building has separate wards for men and women, laboratories and other facilities," he added.

On the occasion, Khost Governor Abdul Jabbar Naeemi said that funds worth over Afs. 12 million (approx. $215,000) had been spent on construction of the hospital building. The fund was provided by the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics. He urged religious clerics, influential elders and media to support public awareness programmes to stop use, cultivation and smuggling of narcotics.

Khost has been announced clear of poppy cultivation. However, according to officials, about 900 women and 35,000 men are addicted to drugs in the province.

Source: Awoshtoon Radio (Paktya)