UNODC: drug cultivation in Afghanistan has decreased by 90%

KABUL (TOLONews): Polleak Ok Serei, the head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Afghanistan, has reported a 90% decrease in the cultivation and production of narcotics in the country.

In a special interview with TOLOnews, Serei said the Islamic Emirate officially banned poppy cultivation in 2022 and has seriously pursued this policy over the past two years.

He confirmed the 90% reduction in the cultivation and production of narcotics in Afghanistan.

Serei said: “The current situation is very interesting because the Taliban regime has decided in 2022 to eradicate productions of all forms of drugs and has focused understandably on opium and for 2023 and 2024, there has been a near eradication in all opium cultivation. That has never happened in the past.”

The UN official stated that UNODC is focusing on three key areas: identifying trafficking routes, providing alternative livelihoods, and treating addicts. However, one of the main challenges is the non-recognition of Afghanistan’s current government, which hinders direct cooperation in police training and strengthening the judiciary.

He said: “The difficulty here is because the Taliban are not recognised internationally. We cannot provide direct support to the de facto authorities, and their police authorities and judiciary authorities. But we are in touch with them because we are an intermediary between the international community and the de facto authorities.”

He also emphasized that the most pressing challenge after halting poppy cultivation is the livelihood of thousands of farmers who relied on it for their income.

Regarding drug trafficking from Afghanistan, Serei noted that while it has decreased, it has not been entirely eliminated.

He said: “What we see from our research is that yes, there is a diminution of trafficking, but there is not a complete eradication of trafficking. Why – because the cultivation of opium has more or less ceased, there is still large stocks.”

Meanwhile, a recent UNODC report states that by 2023, around 27,000 people, including women and children, were involved in drug use.

Part of the report indicates that traditional use of hashish and opium has declined, while use of heroin and methamphetamine has increased—drugs that cause greater harm.

The report states: “As of 2023, an estimated 27,000 individuals (including 2,670 women and 2,150 children under 15) were engaged in high-risk drug use in Afghanistan, shows a new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with funding from the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The study reveals the underlying widespread socio-economic vulnerabilities across the country.”

Additionally, the third working group meeting on drug control, under the Doha process and with participation from 25 countries, is scheduled to take place in Qatar from June 30 to July 1.