The tension in war-torn Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban has exacerbated underlying conflict. The collapse of the economy and lack of humanitarian aid have exposed the link between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan, and there are ongoing concerns from international agencies that the epidemic could spiral out of control.

The Origins of the Drug Epidemic

Historically, Afghanistan has been one of the world’s largest producers of opioids, heroin and methamphetamines. However, the Taliban banned opium poppy farming in July 2000, and a UN report in May 2001 stated that there had been a “near total success of the ban.” 

After the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, there was a notable spike in opium production, with a high of 8,750 tons of opium produced in 2017. Currently, Afghanistan is responsible for more than 80% of global opium production.

Despite most of the drugs being smuggled outside, Afghanistan is home to nearly 4 million drug users, amounting to 10% of the population. 

Decades of war have fueled the link between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan. The return of the Taliban worsened the humanitarian crisis as major donors, such as the U.K. and the U.S., froze Afghan assets and refused to hand over billions of dollars worth of aid. Two-thirds of the population do not know where their next meal may be coming from, and it is the dire circumstances that have pushed people into both drug production and consumption.

Food Poverty

Poverty is impacting more than 90% of Afghan people, with more than half relying on humanitarian aid. About 91% of the average Afghan household’s income goes toward food expenditure, primarily due to the increased inflation levels. 

Around 17.2 million Afghans are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, and nearly 3.4 million are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification categorized.

In an alarming report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in June 2010, an estimated 50% of drug users also gave their children the same narcotics. Many argue that the substances prevent hunger and remove starvation pain.

It has been reported that drugs not only create both behavioral and social problems but increase the likelihood of petty crime. In addition, there are also growing concerns about the risk of HIV spreading, as the sharing of contaminated needles used to inject drugs can cause diseases to spread. 

There have also been reports of sex being traded for drugs, and the stigma within the conservative country has led to fears of many of these cases going under the radar. 

The Scale of the Damage

Ultimately, Afghanistan’s drug problem is a lucrative business for many. The country itself has good connections to regional and global markets, and drugs that people manufacture in Afghanistan can end up all over the world. 

 Despite the Taliban enforcing a theoretical ban on the growing of opium poppy which helps synthesize the drugs, there has been a lack of practical enforcement as the sector generates around $2.7 billion annually for the Afghan economy. At a time when the country is on the brink of economic collapse, farmers who would otherwise have no source of income to feed themselves and their families desperately need the money.

For many Afghan farmers, if they can produce more money from growing opium poppy rather than traditional crops, it does appear to be the more obvious answer. While farmers can earn only 30 cents from 7 kilograms of tomatoes grown, they can earn almost $360 from selling 1 kilogram of opium, the United Nations reported in June 2023. The money that people earn from selling the drugs is what keeps families from falling deeper into poverty.

According to the UN, drug treatment and rehabilitation centers in major cities, including Kabul, have been overrun with recovering addicts and are struggling to cope. Kabul’s main treatment facility has 1,000 beds, and since the arrival of the Taliban, international funding has disappeared, and staff have poor training. A lack of food and medication has also meant that addicts have been shocked into detoxing, which can be catastrophic for recovery. 

The UNODC’s Efforts

Given the fragile political climate, it has been difficult for developmental organizations to enter Afghanistan. However, in May 2023, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) brought professionals together in neighboring Uzbekistan to establish its Information Centre for Researching and Analysing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime. Salome Flores heads the Centre. Flores told the UN her team’s mission is “to produce knowledge that is objective, impartial and well-integrated for the right people at the right time.” Using satellite imagery and other tools, the Center aims to build an accurate picture of the scale of Afghanistan’s drug problem, which will help relevant parties to make informed decisions.

The Centre receives data from governments, social media, academic research and counterparts on the ground in Afghanistan to build an accurate picture of the scale of poppy farming in the country. In addition, the team combines ground surveys with satellite imagery to pinpoint where people are producing and cultivating the opium poppy. 

The Centre is working to build the capacity of farmers and vulnerable communities in Afghanistan through partners and highlighting the importance of providing farmers with sufficient alternative income-generating crops and activities to ensure they do not turn to farming other illicit crops.

Looking Ahead

While the link between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan remains rife, there remains hope that the work of the Information Centre for Researching and Analyzing Transnational Threats Related to Drugs and Crime Centre can reduce the scale of the problem. Amid the rule of the Taliban, hope remains that with collective help, the international community can help address the issues plaguing Afghanistan and other countries impacted by the drug trade while bearing in mind the links between drugs and poverty in Afghanistan.

– Maryam Rana
Photo: Flickr