the The report maps substance use disorder treatment facilities in Afghanistancarried out in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is the first comprehensive survey of the country’s treatment capacity.
While services are operating in 32 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, systemic barriers – particularly for women – have severely limited access to care.
Gender disparities and stress resources
The report found that only 17% of 82 facilities operated specifically for women, and services for female patients were only accessible in more than a third of provinces, leaving many women without access to care. full care..
The survey also highlighted severe shortages of qualified medical staff, essential supplies and infrastructure funding.
More than 72% of centers operate near full capacity but many centers still lack basic resources such as naloxonea life-saving drug for people who overdose on opioids.
Additionally, community-based care, a more accessible alternative to inpatient treatment, has not yet developed. Most facilities rely on resource-intensive residential models, disproportionately affecting underserved rural populations.
The drug landscape is changing
Afghanistan is also experiencing a worrying change in drug trends.
While opioids such as heroin and opium remain the leaders in treatment uptake, the use of synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine is increasing rapidly.
Methamphetamine-related hospitalizations now account for an increasing proportion of cases, complicating treatment needs and straining already limited resources.
This change occurred alongside a decline in opium production, in 2024 will reach a total of 433 tons – up 30% compared to 2023, but still 93% below 2022 levels, when reality authorities began enforcing a nationwide drug ban.
The report warns that without targeted intervention, The prevalence of synthetic drugs could worsen Afghanistan’s public health crisis.
Need to coordinate action
These findings call for urgent cooperation between Afghanistan reality authorities and the international community to address these challenges.
“International efforts must be coordinated to ensure that this decline is not replaced by the production of dangerous synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine,” said Ghada Waly, the organization’s CEO. in Afghanistan or the wider region.” UNODC.
Expanding gender-sensitive services, strengthening community-based care options, and addressing critical resource gaps are top priorities.
Investments in infrastructure, medical supplies, and workforce training are also needed to improve the quality and accessibility of treatment services nationwide.
