Film Lens
The film takes place in Kabul in February 2022, focusing on the Taliban's crackdown on drug addiction following their return to power in August 2021. It portrays the harsh realities faced by homeless heroin addicts in the streets and the Taliban's aggressive measures, including the arrest of individuals merely for appearing to be addicts. The documentary shows a rehabilitation center located in a former US military base, which can accommodate up to 1,000 patients for 45-day stays, reflecting the scale of the drug problem in Afghanistan.
The film also addresses the historical context of the Taliban's relationship with drug production, noting that Afghanistan remains the world's largest opium producer. It discusses the economic challenges exacerbated by Western sanctions, which complicate the Taliban's efforts to combat drug addiction while relying on narcotics as a revenue source. The documentary reveals the grim conditions of rehabilitation, including forced withdrawal without pain relief, and the high relapse rates among patients, illustrating the ongoing struggle against drug addiction in Afghanistan.
Why Watch
- •See how the Taliban's policies impact drug addicts in Kabul.
- •Find out what life is like in a Taliban-run rehabilitation center.
- •Meet individuals struggling with addiction in a collapsing economy.
Did You Know
•The Taliban arrests thousands of people for merely looking like addicts.
•The rehabilitation center can house up to 1,000 patients at a time.
•Afghanistan is the world's largest opium producer.
•The Taliban banned poppy cultivation and harshly punished its use in the 90s.
Perfect For
Drug policy advocatesHuman rights activistsAfghanistan history enthusiasts