Afghanistan is badly defamed for opium production. The governments of numerous countries hold Afghans as the first people responsible for trafficking of drugs into their territory. Pressure is high on Afghan government for not doing enough to counter drug trade, poppy cultivation and opium production. But is it the fault of Afghanistan only? Drug trafficking and growing number of drug addicts along with terrorism, outbreak of deadly diseases and economic crises put human lives on earth at great stake.

Experts emphasize on preventive measures and rehabilitation of those addicted, as drugs kill more people than wars and deadly diseases. Based UN reports, about forty thousand people lose their lives every year as a result of drug addiction in only in Russia. That number is far greater than the total number of Russian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

Latest UN figures put the number of drug addicts to 220 million across the world. This means that, of the seven billion population of the world, every 31st man is a drug addict. 15 to 19 percent of the total number of drug addicts is formed by those who are addicted to opium. Regretfully, Afghanistan remains as one of the significant opium producers in the world. But it would not be fair to put all responsibilities on Afghans as drug addiction is a complex issue.

Latest UN reports put light on and warn against the growing use of synthetic drugs or amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), in addition to traditional consumption of plant-based cocaine and heroin. Synthetic drugs are comparatively easier to manufacture and have far dangerous side effects on human body and psychology. Meanwhile, treatment of individuals who consume synthetic drugs is more difficult.

These reports establish the fact that Afghan opium has no monopoly over drug markets. Even if poppy cultivation is completely eliminated in Afghanistan, synthetic drugs would fill the gap. Despite that, keeping in view the persisting concerns over poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, it is important to throw light over the latest developments in countering narcotics in Afghanistan:

Over the last five years, the Afghan government has been able to reduce the fields used for poppy cultivation from 193.000 hectares in 2007 to 131.000 hectares in current year. Number of provinces with zero poppy cultivation has increased to 17 while some years back there were only 6 such provinces.

Afghanistan’s achievements in eradication of poppy fields have been quite significant in 2011. Last year, 3,810 hectares of poppy fields were destroyed which indicates a 65% percent increment as compared to 2010.
In Helmand province, there has been a 15,053 hectares decrease in poppy cultivation fields as compared to 2009 which signals a significant decline in the country-wide poppy cultivation. This achievement has been reached with support of British government under the ‘Food Zone’ program.

Poppy cultivation, opium production and drug trafficking relate to a number factors in Afghanistan. Without keeping them in view, it would be difficult present a true of picture of what is happening.

High demand for drugs in regional and international markets, insecurity, lingering war, growing trend of narco-terrorism, presence drug mafia, unemployment, poverty and lack of alternative crop for farmers are important factors that contribute to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

The UNDOC survey released in 2011 shows that 95% of 131.000 hectares of poppy fields are located in insecure provinces while the other 5% are located 8 remote and inaccessible provinces of Afghanistan.

Based on the above fact, it is worth mentioning that most of the poppy of cultivation takes place in provinces with lowest level of security. There is a direct link between poppy cultivation and insurgent activities, drug traffickers and their al Qaida affiliates and they all benefit from this illegal business.

Reportedly, terrorist activities in Central Asian States have their roots in drug trafficking and terrorists use this as their major fund source. In Pakistan too, growing insecurity and terrorists activities are, somehow, linked to drug trafficking.

According to UNODC 2009 report, Pakistan, Iran, Central Asian countries and Russia form major routes for trafficking Afghan drugs to various countries of the world. Of the 365 tons of heroin produced in Afghanistan 160 tons were trafficked through Pakistan, 115 tons through Iran and 90 tons through Central Asian countries and Russia to various countries of the world.

Also, the UNODC statistics indicate that in the last few years, except 2010, on average Afghanistan has been producing 6,900 tons of opium annually. 2/3 of that quantity is converted to heroin and morphine for supply to the markets of European countries and United Sates.

Precursor chemicals are majorly used in converting opium into heroin and morphine. For conversion, according some reports, in addition to precursors chemicals such as acetone, ammonium chloride, potassium permanganate, alcohol etc on average 475 tons of acetic anhydride, a key element in the process, is annually required. Since production of this chemical is banned in Afghanistan and in many of the regional countries, it is imported from foreign countries of the world.

Reportedly, the price of acetic anhydride, sometimes, reaches dollars 500-700 per liter. Nonetheless, its factory price is only about dollars 1.5. Therefore, smuggling precursor chemicals to Afghanistan has turned into a profitable business gaining the attention of international drug mafias.

Precursor chemicals play a major role in turning opium into heroin. Proper management and oversight in production, distribution and use of such chemicals could greatly help the world in fight against narcotics and synthetic drugs.

Now, one can say with surety that poppy cultivation, opium production, its conversion to heroin and morphine and ultimately, drug trafficking from our country and its consumption around the world is not a one-way process and are caused by different factors. Therefore, finger should not be pointed at Afghanistan only. Although Afghanistan is criticized for opium production, the share of our farmers in the 68-billion-dollars worth opium trade is only 5%.

This minor share reflects that fact that Afghan people and farmers are also the victims of narcotics and international drug mafia benefits from the conditions like poverty and unemployment in Afghanistan.

Surveys and reports establish that fact that drug trafficking and its addiction cannot be confined to a specific country or region but they stand as major threats to human lives. Thus, the best way counter the global issue of drugs is not blaming and counter blaming. But all countries need more cooperation at regional and world levels.