Afghanistan: Narcotics and U.S. Policy

Abstract

Opium poppy cultivation and drug trafficking have become significant negative factors in Afghanistan's fragile political and economic order over the last 25 years. Afghan, U.S., and coalition efforts to provide viable economic alternatives to poppy cultivation and to disrupt corruption and narco-terrorist linkages succeeded in reducing opium poppy cultivation in some areas during 2004 and 2005. However, escalating violence, particularly in Helmand, and widespread corruption fueled a surge in cultivation in 2006 and 2007, pushing opium output to all-time highs. Cultivation has decreased in north-central Afghanistan and skyrocketed in the southwest. In spite of ongoing efforts by the Afghan government, the United States, and their partners, Afghanistan is now the source of 93% of the world's illicit opium.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 06, 2007
Accession Number
ADA501465

Entities

People

  • Christopher M. Blanchard

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Central Asia
  • Counterterrorism
  • Criminals
  • Department Of State
  • Drug Abuse
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Families (Human)
  • International Relations
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Organizations
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Security Personnel
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists

Readers

  • Economics
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.