Research conducted by the Health Ministry show the the number of drug addicts in Egypt stands between 2.5 and 3.25 millions, Health Minister Adel al-Adawy said on Thursday.
“Cairo hosts the largest number of addicts, followed by southern provinces,” the minister said in speech marking the United Nations’ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The phenomenon is less common at the Delta region and central provinces, he revealed.
“Middle-aged groups see the highest addiction rates,” according to the minister, but the rates fall down among people with higher education levels : 2.5 percent among university students and 10 percent among illiterates.
The rates stand at 11 percent among business owners, 9.4 percent among workers, 2.5 percent for specialized professions and 1 percent among housewives, the minister added.
Adawy said the ministry’s 16 mental health hospitals have secured 500 beds for addicts treatment until May, while receiving more than 57.000 outpatients.
Edited translation from MENA
