Afghanistan's opium hollowing the nation

We'll are well aware of the burgeoning opium production and heroin trade in Afghanistan, however, the latest report issued by the UN throws more light on the innards of the nation on a high.

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The report indicates:

1. All efforts given in by the EU and US have failed to check the drug industry

2. The drug industry is directly hurting the poorest of the nation

3. Efforts to encourage/force farmers to grow other crops too have failed

4. Keeping the current efforts to eradicated opium crop in focus, it would take decades to eliminate the illegal drug trade

No doubt, Afghanistan's opium crop is mainly driving the economy of the nation. It's a $2.7 billion business, producing 87% of the world's opium, equaling more than one-third of the nation's GDP and employing thousands. It will not be easy for anybody to make people involved in the business simply shun it, and especially when it's fueled by well-organized nexus of drug traffickers who successfully lure farmers into the trade through incentives and intimidation. Even Government efforts have failed owing to the massive corruption and hegemony of drug lords have in the whole business. A huge amount of the profit percolates to the government officials, worsening the situation.

So, is there any solution?

No, at least, not for now. Afghanistan is a war-wrecked country and perhaps, it would take years to rebuild it. And, in the midst of this, it would not be easy for any global effort to shift focus from nation's restoration to kill the poppy. The question arises, how much the World Bank can invest and how far and how effectively the UN is able to carry on the rebuilding process, curbing the opium production side by side. The drug money is fueling the Taliban insurgency, however, the Taliban religious militia imposed a total ban on opium farming and nearly wiped out its production in Afghanistan in 2001, but the killing of around 4,000 people this year in the country tells a different story now.

To stop this altogether, first, we'd have to eliminate the local warlords, only then one can seep into and handle the problem with certain positive results. Also, instead of coming out with such statistics which the world is already aware of, it would be better for the UN to chalk out a plan with a comprehensive support from all sections of Afghanis and the government and defeat the problem. What about other alternative livelihoods, if opium farming is stopped completely? I doubt Afghanistan is strong enough to support the narcofarmers and deliver alternative crops instantly. Eradication of poppy is very easy however, the major issue is to check the traffickers.

Via: USA Today