Afghanistan's drug menace

Pakistan OBSERVER, Thu, Jan,10, 2008.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema
 

Despite repeated expression of acute concerns by all concerned, the drug trade continues to flourish. The opium production has so far shown no signs of decline. On the contrary reports are indicating that the production might increase this year. The Commander of International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan General McNeill pessimistically augured that poppy cultivation might see undesired rise. Expressing concern regarding the increased drug production, his concern was more linked with the availability of increased resources to Taliban. He felt that the situation would certainly increase difficulties for under resources NATO forces making it an uphill task for foreign forces to crush the insurgency. Having recognized the link between drug trade and the availability of resources for the insurgents, he was suggesting something needs to be urgently done in controlling the drug production and its trafficking. 

This is not the first time that an important official has expressed his concerns; many in the past have highlighted somewhat similar apprehensions. In March 2006 an Australian Think Tank published an interesting report on Afghanistan in which it was mentioned that drugs had become an integral part of commercial and political life of Afghanistan and its economy was increasingly becoming dependent upon drags. It was also highlighted that the drug trade was proving highly corrosive of good governance. Not only many senior leaders including those supporting Hamid Karazai’s presidency were alleged to be involved in this illicit trade but many government officials throughout the country were deeply engaged in this trade. The link between Taliban and drug trade was also highlighted. 

Similar thoughts were expressed by Mr. Christy McCampbell, the head of Bureau for International Narcotic and Law Enforcement, who said in 2007 that not only the Bush administration was fully aware of the difficulties confronting the Afghan President but also conscious of the increased poppy cultivation in some areas whereas the efforts to end poppy cultivation in some other areas were producing positive results. However he stressed that increase in poppy cultivation was only taking place in the Southern part of Afghanistan. 

He stressed that the situation in the northern parts of Afghanistan was totally different. There exists a marked difference in poppy cultivation between the northern and southern parts of Afghanistan. He said that thirteen Northern provinces are totally poppy free. According to Mr. McCampbell the increase in poppy cultivation was exclusively restricted to southern regions of Afghanistan where the Taliban enjoy more influence. 

Mr. Campbell emphasized that US wanted Afghanistan to increase its efforts against poppy cultivators. President Bush looked towards the government of Afghanistan to take further steps to combat poppy cultivation and corruption. While acknowledging that Afghanistan was facing many challenges, Mr. McCampbell stated that not addressing an important challenge like drug menace could undermine security, compromise democratic legitimacy and imperil international support that is deemed so essential for Afghanistan’s developmental activities. 

Now a military Commander has highlighted somewhat similar concerns. Two aspect of his statement are relatively more important. One, that the increased poppy cultivation is likely to provide more resources to Taliban. Second that the foreign forces are under funded. Implicitly he was asking for more resources in order to undertake operations against the insurgents in Afghanistan and to make efforts to plug funding to Taliban. 

By now the drug menace has not only enlarged its network but firm links between drugs, politics and insurgency have also been established. It is not going to be easy to eradicate poppy cultivation and effectively stop the drug trafficking. The American were more focused on how to defeat Taliban militarily rather than employing a comprehensive approach which could have improved the economy and provided the requisite employment opportunities to the locals. Many unemployed locals could have been attracted, had the Afghan economy made impressive strides. 

Instead of embarking upon a cooperative route with Pakistan, indulgence in blame game did not provide the desired dividends. Admittedly the recent visit of Afghan President to Pakistan ostensibly seem to have put the relationships on the right path but to deal effectively with the drug menace a comprehensive and a collaborative strategies would be needed. 

An active joint strategy by Afghan government and neighboring countries including Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian States could turn out to be an effective instrument in curbing drug trafficking. Such a collaborative efforts needs to be supported by the international community as well. After all the main markets for drug consumption are known to be in most of the developed countries. 

Apart from the above mention collaborative efforts, the main burden falls on the incumbent Karazai regime which has to do much more than what it has done so far. Initially it is essential that the policy of shifting responsibilities be abandoned and confronts the problems as they come. Secondly, the Kabul regime needs to employ innovative approaches that have been successfully tried in some countries. For instance Pakistan is one country that was able to eradicate the drug menace though some latest reports are suggesting that it is again surfacing. 

A linked problem that is reportedly rising in Afghanistan is the HIV epidemic. It is generally agreed that AIDs has potential to grow quickly from a small base of drug users and their partners to an alarming proportion if no corrective measures are undertaken. A recent reported revealed that almost all known cases of HIV infections in Afghanistan are due to injecting drugs. While there is no doubt that more vigorous counter-drug policies are required with innovative approaches which may include peer education, communication and counseling provisions, it is essential to improve economy and to secure stability with effective law and order situation.

With large number of unemployed Afghans along with deteriorating law and order situation, the situation could further inject complexities. Afghanistan can seek help from Pakistan and learn the methods how the drugs menace was controlled initially and later eradicated in Pakistan. Pakistan not only provided alternatives to the poppy cultivators but also gave them many incentives to desist from poppy cultivation. The incentives along with substitution of this attractive cash crop did manage to convince the cultivators to abandon the poppy growing. As mentioned above Afghanistan could seek help from Pakistani officials who were involved in their successful eradication pursuits.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.