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Last updated: 23 november, 2009 - 18:37 GMT

Global Addiction, Personal Affliction

A problem shared: a heroin addict in Afghanistan and an addict thousands of miles away in Zanzibar share the problems of rehabilitation without modern facilities.

According to a United Nations report, the poppy fields of Afghanistan produce more than 90% of the world's opium - feeding the habits of an estimated 15 million heroin addicts around the globe.

But behind those figures lie many thousands of ordinary Afghans also trapped in addiction, who sadly don't have access to modern treatment facilities.

In the worst-affected province, Balkh, in northern Afghanistan, there is just one treatment centre with 20 beds.

And those lucky enough to get a place are forced to leave long before they're ready .

But just as addiction is a global problem, so is this lack of rehab facilities.

Gholam Nabi and Suleiman Mauly have both been through similar experiences, despite living on different continents.

Gholam Nabi is a heroin addict from Afghanistan, and Suleiman Mauly is a recovering addict from Tanzania - another poor country with a shortage of rehab programmes.

Outlook brought Gholam Nabi and Suleiman Mauly together to discuss their personal experiences of addiction.

And Matthew Bannister also spoke to Professor Neil McKeganey about the wider psychological problems in overcoming drugs.

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