It is a fact that Afghanistan is known to be a depot of opium (3600 tons in 2003) of the word and cannabis (hashish) the present situation is the consequence of the Soviet invasion in 1979 and factional fighting and the Taliban rule.
Opium as the raw material for heroin has been cultivated, for centuries in a small-scale east, south, and northeast parts of Afghanistan.

Opium had limited number of consumers. The main users were those having chronic cough, gastric colic and other illness.
(Lack of health services.)
In the northern and northeast parts, the carpet and mat weavers use to dope their young children in order to avoid disturbance during their work during festivities, marriage, parties and other celebrations. The youth used to take cannibal (hashish) to augment their pleasure.

The use of drug carried a social stigma and every one showing a character or nervousness or temper was alled “Tharyaki” or opium takers. Since the drug did not find its way to the world market the price was very low therefore, its cultivation was not popular.
Coup after the coup during the last three decades, factional fighting ineffective government, lack of law and order paved the way for opportunists, anti social elements and drug traffickers appear to be the main players and thus the drug found its way to the world market.
The drugs become the main source of terrorists.

So the annual production of opium increased due to the increase in poverty, lack of drug awareness, lack of jobs, and loss of family members and a lack of good cultivation.

Today the drug is not only a national problem but it is regional and global problem as well, therefore, a joint action is needed to fight before it gets too late at national level the government has to be supported by United Nations drug agencies etc to carry out surveys in order to estimate the magnitude of the problem.
Government has to enable the mplementation of law enforcement acts. Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (M.R.R.D) has launched a national solidarity program.

N.S.P has to fight poverty at grass roots to raise the standard of living at the village level.

Drug awareness is also a major part of the campaign against narcotics.

REGIONAL LEVEL

Regional cooperation is highly recommended to control the borders and custom for militias.

INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

The world has paid heavily for negligence Afghanistan during 1980s-90s of the last century. Political instability, trafficking and terrorism are the result of such negligence and there is need for confronting global problems, globally.
To summarize peace democracy and development are the key factors, which pave the way for a nation towards progress and prosperity.


Dr. A. G. Safi
Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation Development

Author: Dr. A. G. Safi