Addicted In Afghanistan

Year: 2009
Country: AFGHANISTAN, UNITED KINGDOM
Run Time: 75 minutes

Over the past decade Afghanistan has become known as the heroin capital of the world, with heroin currently the country's number one export. The true victims of this epidemic are the children of Afghanistan, hooked at an early age with little to no hope for their futures. ADDICTED IN AFGHANISTAN is the story of teenage boys Zahir and Jabar, two best friends who are severely addicted to the "white powder." Jabar has been abusing heroin for eight years and steals cash from his family to fuel his addiction. Zahir smokes three sachets a day, destroying his already emaciated body. Both boys come from devastatingly impoverished families, most of whom suffer from addiction themselves. Director Jawed Taiman provides an inside look at Afghanistan's government and private drug treatment centers, showcasing the detox both boys must face in order to be freed from this "bad habit" that will certainly destroy any chance they may have at a normal life. This documentary examines the intense shame and desperation of the dangerous amount of drug-addicted Afghanis. The fact is, these addicts are mere children, lost and afraid. (In Arabic with subtitles) – M.M.

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