Egypt is, of course, no exception.
Addicts often feel isolated from the people they love.
Consequently, the first and important part of treatment is for them to realise and admit that they have a problem, and then to reach out for help. The Anti-Drug Fund, which is under the supervision of the National Council for Social and Criminological Research and the National Council for Combating and Treating Drug Addiction and Abuse, has established a new service which helps in that aspect. A telephone hotline has been set up to answer questions relating to drugs and addiction. Available to any caller, the hotline aims at providing correct information and much-needed assistance. According to Soheir Lutfi, director of the National Council for Combating and Treating Drug Addiction and Abuse, and chairperson of the Anti-Drug Fund, the hotline service began a trial period in July and August 1999.