A new rehabilitation centre for the treatment of addiction and abuse will open within six months in Minya governorate, said Minister of Social Solidarity and chairman of the board of directors of the Fund to Combat and Treat Addiction and Abuse, Ghada Waly. "This is the first and the only addicts rehabilitation centre in Upper Egypt that helps addicts to get along with society after their recovery," Hotline for the Treatment of Addiction and Abuse manager Ahmed El-Kettany told Ahram Online. The centre will provide treatment for nearly 1,200 cases, in a total area of 9,720 m2 and at a value of EGP20 million, with a capacity of 80 beds. The centre will include a gymnasium, a theatre, and workshops (including carpentry, electrical engineering, and iron smithing) to give those recuperating from addiction professional skills for the labour market, Waly said in a statement Wednesday. The Fund to Combat and Treat Addiction and Abuse is implementing a national plan to combat drug abuse with the participation of 11 ministries and 100 NGOs pre-qualified to work against drug addiction and abuse. The demand for treatment increased after international football star Mohamed Salah's campaign "You are stronger than drugs" led to a significant increase in hotline calls for treatment services. The "New Beginning" fund, in cooperation with Nasser Social Bank, has been launched to support recovering drug addicts by creating small projects that help them return to work and a productive life.
