Taekwondo Helps Drug Addict Kick Habit

The Community Cohesion Initiative (CCI), in partnership with the Directorate of Sports and Olympic (DoSO), has implemented a free taekwondo training course for young people struggling with addiction. This initiative has been particularly effective in the volatile Kandahar district of Panjwai, where approximately 100,000 people were reported to be addicted to illicit drugs in 2013. Nisar Ahmad, a 20-year-old resident of Panjwai, is one of the success stories of this initiative. Nisar was introduced to heroin after befriending coworkers at a plastics factory, and he soon found himself struggling with addiction. Despite efforts from friends and school officials to change his behavior, Nisar continued to spiral downward, eventually dropping out of school and losing his job. However, with the support of a good friend, Nisar joined the taekwondo training course, which was being offered free of charge by DoSO. The four-month course, which concluded in late March 2014, provided Nisar with valuable disciplines and personal willpower that ultimately helped him overcome his addiction. By the end of the course, Nisar had achieved taekwondo second belt status, a testament to his hard work and dedication. With his newfound confidence and skills, Nisar has been able to return to school and is now keen to continue training to become a sports instructor, with the goal of supporting his family. The success of Nisar's story is not an isolated incident. The taekwondo training course has been shown to be an effective tool in helping individuals overcome addiction and achieve a healthy lifestyle. The course provides a structured and supportive environment that helps participants develop the skills and confidence they need to make positive changes in their lives. By addressing the root causes of addiction, such as unemployment, poverty, and lack of education, the taekwondo training course offers a holistic approach to recovery that has been shown to be highly effective. The Community Cohesion Initiative's taekwondo training course has been implemented in response to the growing number of people struggling with addiction in Kandahar. The course is part of a broader effort to address the social and economic challenges facing the region, and to provide young people with the skills and support they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. By providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals to learn and grow, the taekwondo training course has been shown to be a valuable resource in the fight against addiction and poverty in Kandahar.