2005/109

Opium poppy cultivation further expanded in 2004 and now takes place in almost all provinces of Afghanistan- INCB 

TEHRAN, 2 March (UNIC)— The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in its Annual Report released today said that it continues to be seriously concerned about the overall drug control situation in Afghanistan which appears to be steadily deteriorating, with opium production reaching a record 4,200 tons in 2004.

The total area under opium poppy cultivation increased from 80,000 hectares in 2003 to 130,000 hectares in 2004. “Opium poppy cultivation now takes place in almost all provinces of the country and involves an increasing number of farmers,” it said.

The report said that this is just a part of an increasingly disheartening scenario. Illicit manufacture of and trafficking in heroin has gained ground in the country. Not surprisingly, the unlimited and uncontrolled availability of both narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has contributed to a significant increase of drug abuse in Afghanistan, with an increasing use of injection as a mode of administering illicit drugs. 

The Board called for a swift response. It was heartened by the fact that the President of Afghanistan has committed himself to addressing the drug problem. It warned that the “widespread drug problem is a severe threat to the young democracy and the stability and economic recovery of the country as a whole.” The international community and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) support Afghanistan in its efforts.

The report said that trafficking in opiates from Afghanistan, as well as cannabis resin originating in various countries in West Asia to (and through) other countries in the region and to Europe, continues on a large scale. Synthetic drugs and precursors are frequently smuggled in the opposite direction. The main transit countries continue to be the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. The use of the southern border between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan (in particular, Baluchistan province), which has always been used as a major transit area for illicit drug consignments, has intensified further. It said countries in Central Asia have become increasingly another route for smuggling in opiates.

Recognising Iran’s efforts, the report said that the country continues to be committed to combating the illicit drug transit traffic, and drug trafficking in general. While it continues to record enormous seizures of opiates, its seizure figures in recent years have been much lower than during the late 1990s, particularly the figures for opium and morphine seizures. This may be related partly to increased manufacturing activities in Afghanistan and partly to the shift in trafficking routes through Central Asia. However, since 2003 seizures in the Iran have been rising.

The report said that in addition to intensified efforts made in the area of drug law enforcement, Iran has initiated demand reduction activities recently, including the assessment of drug abuse trends and the establishment of a national institute for drug abuse research and training. Furthermore, on the basis of studies undertaken in recent years, amendments on controlled delivery, mutual judicial cooperation and extradition have been proposed. The list of illicit drugs and other controlled substances has also been reviewed and updated in the draft amendment. In

addition, a bill against money-laundering has been prepared and is awaiting final approval. The Board welcomed those initiatives and stressed the need to continue to enhance activities in the field of demand, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation with NGOs.

The Board also noted that Iran has reported an increase in heroin consumption, including injecting drug use, though opium remains the most widely used drug in the country. It said that both Iran and Pakistan have reported an increase in HIV/AIDS among drug users.

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