JEDDAH: Life took a turn for the better for a 50-year-old drug addict recently, thanks to the role played by his 16-year-old son.

Faris Al-Khudairy, director of the Kafa drug rehabilitation center, was quoted by local media as saying on Wednesday that the case is unique because the man was addicted for about two decades and took an instant decision against addiction.

According to him, the man wanted to drive to the market while he was under the effect of drugs. His son, however, requested him to wait until the effect wore off. When the man became aggressive, his son decided to drive him to the market.

“On the way, they stopped near a food store to buy something, during which the boy met some of his classmates from high school. The friends, who quickly recognized the man because he was notorious as a drug addict, asked the boy why the addict was in his car,” he said.

For obvious reasons, the youngster was compelled to deny that the addict was his own father and said that he was a distant relative to be dropped home, said Al-Khudairi. “The episode touched the man’s heart so much that he instantly resolved to kick the habit,” he added.