Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Kabul (BNA) Amid reports on increasing poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the National Unity Government (NUG) vowed to fight the fatal phenomenon decisively.
Appreciating the efforts and cooperation of the US government towards war on drugs, Dr. Abdullah Chief Executive of the national unity government emphasized that the Afghan government was ready to cooperate with the international community in eradication of drugs with new morale and strong decision.
During his visit with the US Undersecretary of State on Drugs, William Brown Field, the CE said, “War on drugs is one of the priorities of the government and we will continue fighting this national and international problem with all our strength.” Pointing to his country’s efforts in war on drugs, the US official said “Narcotics are international problem and for Afghanistan, it is a harsh national challenge. Studies showed that use of drugs has increased in this country.” Reiterating the US inclusive support in the direction of war on drugs, He said his country was ready to help train counter-drugs police, beef up courts capacity building, improve public awareness and eradicate poppy lands in the country. The US official said his country cooperation with Afghanistan included the assistances and suggestion of new option to farmers, cooperation with different counter-drugs departments and organizations, reduction of demand for drugs, public awareness and addicts’ treatment.
A new survey of UNODC shows that there are over one million people addicted in drugs in Afghanistan as the country was still the biggest drugs producers in the world. Some experts, political analysts and countrymen accused the regional and neighboring countries of their failure to assist in war on drug said “The Afghan government can’t lonely fight drugs and eradicate poppy fields. Mohammad Mohaqqeq a political analyst said, “Until there is no global commitment in war on drugs, Afghanistan struggle will be very slight as the country is one of the victims of drugs. The US, UK, and UN have assisted Afghanistan in this field but these assistances were too little to lay positive effect. He added “Poppy cultivation, increase in addiction and lack of pledges from neighboring and regional countries are among key challenges overshadowed success of war on drugs in the country as the move is not only up to the government but, the commitment of regional and global countries are also needed to tackle the challenge. Touching on constant consumption, high demand and increase of drugs price in the world, he said, “This year shows high increase in drugs consumption but the government cannot fight this phenomenon alone unless the world rush for support.
A number of citizens expressed concerns on increasing poppy cultivation and drugs production and asked the international community to take serious step in war on drugs in Afghanistan. They said that global demand to drugs has caused increase of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan but if drug traffickers were trailed and brought to justice, Afghanistan would not be changed again into poppy fields. Hamiddullah Danish a private university professor said “Although the Afghan government has made a lot of efforts for poppy eradication but the main reason behind increase of drugs in Afghanistan was drug trafficking and its excessive use in the world. If the international community supports Afghanistan, this phenomenon will undeniably disappear.” Suraya Raiszada
