I turned to drugs in Pul-i-Charkhi Prison: Ex-policeman

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): A former policeman, Mujahid, says he became addicted to drugs while serving his sentence in a murder case in the Pul-i-Charkhi Prison and now he is facing several problems.

During an exclusive interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, the former convict claimed jail officials allowed a large quantity of drugs inside the prison and everyone purchased whatever they needed --- hashish, opium or heroine.

“A decent drug business is underway in the country’s jails, especially in the Pul-i-Charkhi Prison. This is very saddening that a healthy man goes to the jail and he comes out as an addict.”

Mujahid, who is currently under treatment at Wadan Rehabilitation centre, said his habit destroyed his life as people hated him. “I want to recover and return to his job and family.”

“I had many dreams, but now it seems I lost everything after becoming addicted to drugs. People don’t trust me and call me a drug addict. Had I distanced myself from drug use, today I would have been a police officer.” He asked the authorities concerned to visit prisoners and stop the entry of drugs into cells.

Farhad Bayani, spokesperson of Prisons Management Department, said 20 suspected persons had been arrested in connection with drugs supply to lock ups in the past six months.

He said most officers in charge of lock ups were involved in passing off drugs to prisoners and their department had taken strict measures in Kabul and other provinces to stop this illegal practice.

“In the past, this was a huge problem but now we have controlled it to some extent. There are still problems, one of our top priorities is to stop the supply of drugs into jails,” he added.

The addiction of youth to drugs has raised eyebrows in Paktia and easy access to drugs is one of the reasons.

Nh/ma