I have received five rounds of treatment already, but am still using," said Sayed Dawod, one of the addicts at the new center. "There is no proper treatment in Afghanistan."
Ministers say they are aware of the threat from the drug problem, not just to public health but also how it feeds endemic corruption in the government, from police officials on up.
Feroz was himself attacked on Sunday by a dealer who tried to stab him with an infected needle during an operation to collect addicts and take them to the new center for treatment.
But officials have only limited ability to curb a billion-dollar industry protected by powerful regional interests and controlled in part by warlords and Taliban militants who use the proceeds to fund their insurgency.
"Leaders of the unity government know the threat illegal drugs pose to our society and they are committed to dealing with this," said Salamat Azimi, the counter narcotics minister.
The failure of past efforts leaves many uncertain of success this time, however.
Najibullah, an addict who, like many Afghans, goes by one name, was dubious as he saw how few addicts got on the buses going to the treatment centers.
"This is for show," he said. "If the government wants to bring about change and treat addicts properly, they have to put more pressure on police to arrest those who sell illegal drugs."
(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)