Minister of Social Solidarity and Chairperson of the National Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction, Nevine El-Qabbag, reported on Thursday, 6/6/2024, that a total of 66,147 patients, including new and follow-up cases, sought addiction treatment and counseling services through the hotline of Egypt’s National Fund for Drug Control and Treatment of Addiction (referred to as “16023”) during the first five months of 2024 (January to May 2024).
According to the report, 8,208 individuals sought medical attention and counseling services in well-developed areas rather than slum areas, including but not limited to Al-Asmarat, Al-Mahrousa, Rawdat Al-Sudan, Rawdat Al-Sayeda, Ahalina, Istabl Antar, Bashayer Al-Kheir, October Gardens, Al-Khayala, and Al-Dhahiya in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, and Port Said.
Comprehensive services include follow-up calls, counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and community reintegration. These treatment services are provided to patients free of charge and according to international standards.
According to Al Ahram website the treatment centers affiliated with the fund, in partnership with the hotline “16023,” have been accessed by patients across 19 governorates, totaling 30 centers. The Minister of Social Solidarity has reported that the highest volume of calls received by the hotline originates from Cairo Governorate, representing 30.53 percent of callers, followed by Giza Governorate at 16.79 percent.
Amr Othman, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity and Director of the Fund, provided an analysis of the data showing that individuals receiving treatment services in the first five months of 2024 had a history of substance abuse starting at an early age.
The analysis revealed that 15.81 percent of individuals-initiated substance use between the ages of 15 and 20, 38.23 percent between 21 and 30, and 37.93 percent between 31 and 40.
