Drug Use Among Women and Children in Afghanistan: The Complexities of An Important Public Health Issue

National surveys of drug use among those living in Afghanistan shows multiple substances are easily accessible and commonly used in combination. The drug use situation in Afghanistan is complex and compounded with concern for its future given that Afghanistan is a country comprised of individuals who almost half (48%) are under the age of 15. The number of women and children reported drug use have been increased alarmingly in last one and half decades. However, drug treatment services expanded in urban areas of Afghanistan but still there is need for evidence based and culturally appropriate drug prevention and treatment program in rural areas and to fulfill the constitutional obligation there is an obvious need for strong institutions to refine coordination of counternarcotic efforts.