Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali has announced that Cairo has the highest rate of addiction in Egypt with 35.1 percent, followed by Giza with 17.3 percent.
Wali added that the Anti-Addiction Fund's 16023 hotline received 9,297 phone calls in a two month period, while hospitals cooperating with the line received 13,591 patients.
She also said that people who call the hotline will be offered free and confidential treatment.
Community efforts in helping addicts have resulted in small, but significant steps in a positive direction. Ninety recovering addicts recently put on a performance on the negative effects of addiction during a celebration at the Maamoura Hospital in Alexandria. The governor, as well as the director of the Anti-Addiction Fund, were in attendance.
When asked about drugs, the recovering addicts said that drugs are available everywhere and that it takes a strong will to quit.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
