Opium dominates political and economic life in Afghanistan to an extent unparalleled anywhere in the world.
Years of war and years of drought have created a fertile environment for opium poppies to thrive, as the state weakened and farmers' access to other markets collapsed.
Today, the thriving opium economy - and the insecurity it breeds - are the greatest threats to building a stable, secure Afghanistan.
The impact of the Afghan opium trade is far-reaching both within Afghanistan and globally.
Too early to declare success: counter-narcotics policy in Afghanistan
- Countries: Afghanistan
- Co-authors: Centre on International Cooperation
- Published: March 2005
Themes:
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