In an ultra-conservative society, one brave Afghan woman is tackling the stigma of drug addiction.<br/> <br />Laila Haidari has opened a restaurant in Kabul, and recruits staff from her shelters for recovering addicts.<br/> <br />By giving former drug users work, Haidari hopes they will begin to rebuild their lives.<br/> <br />It's a revolutionary idea in Afghanistan, and cost Haidari more than the thousands she spent setting it up.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: OWNER AND FOUNDER OF THE TAJ BEGUM RESTAURANT, LAILA HAIDARI, SAYING (Dari):<br/> <br />"In the past year I have lost many things in my life including my family. My husband divorced me because he disagreed with me opening such a restaurant and living with drug addicts."<br/> <br />Seventeen former addicts are now employed at the restaurant.<br/> <br />Abdul Ali spent a decade as an opium addict before finding help at Haidari's shelters.<br/> <br />He now entertains restaurant guests, as well those still trying to kick the habit.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: FORMER DRUG ADDICT, ABDUL ALI SAYING (Dari):<br/> <br />"By playing the dambura I just want to keep my friends busy in order make them stop using drugs and to enjoy life."<br/> <br />Haidari says she wanted to help people like Ali after caring for her opium-addicted brother.<br/> <br />She says hundreds of addicts, including women and children, have passed through her shelters.
