Counter Narcotics

Afghanistan is the world's leading supplier of opiates, trafficked as opium, morphine and heroin. Over 90% of the world’s supply of heroin on the UK's streets originate from Afghanistan. However, drug abuse is not simply a Western problem. Some of the highest rates of addiction can be found in the Middle East and South Asia with increasing addiction within Afghanistan itself. Only in areas of instability and poor governance can the cultivation and trafficking of drugs thrive. The unity of purpose between those involved in the drugs trade and those who perpetuate corruption and violence means that tackling the drugs issue is essential to increase levels of security and development.

A Comprehensive Strategy

The UK is supporting the Afghan Government in implementing their National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS). The strategy is an eight-pillar plan, which includes (1) Building Institutions (2) Information Campaigns (3) Alternative livelihoods (4) Interdiction and law enforcement (5) Criminal justice (6) Eradication (7) Demand reduction and treatment of addicts (8) Regional Co-operation

Working with the Government of Afghanistan

Building durable Afghan institutions is fundamental to long-term success. When the Taliban were overthrown in 2001, there was no functioning government or civil service in Afghanistan. From that low starting point, the UK and the international community have worked with the Afghans to develop their governmental capacity in the last six years.

The Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN), responsible for co-ordinating Afghan Government counter-narcotics activities, has been operational since December 2004. The UK funds a £12.5 million capacity building contract in the MCN, as well as providing technical assistance.

One of the roles for the MCN is the co-ordination of nation-wide public information campaigns. Last year the MCN over saw more than 500 events across the country at which more than 100,000 people attended.

Between the 22nd and 24th March the MCN held nation-wide events in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) as well as the Minister of Education (MoE). At these events; speeches, music and drama were used to increase knowledge in nine key provinces about the dangers of drug use as well as to promote the use of alternative livelihoods. By clicking on the link you can watch a portion of the event held at Lyce Nangarhar Boys High School, Jalalabad City.

Targeting the Trafficker

The UK helped to establish the counter-narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF). The CJTF is made up of Afghan investigators, prosecutors and judges. It was established specifically to conduct drugs prosecutions. The UK has allocated a further £9 million over 4 years. In 2008 the CJTF started 442 new cases and convicted 259 in the same year. Together with the Counter Narcotics Police Authority in 2008 they seized more than 67 tonnes of opium and almost 4 tonnes of heroin. In April and May of 2009 the British Embassy helped the CJTF develop a series of mini-documentaries to appeal to young Afghans and educate them on the dangers of being involved with the drugs trade as well the legal implications. The first episode can be viewed on this website here.

The British Embassy Kabul have also helped to establish the CN Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) - the lead drugs law enforcement agency - through training, mentoring and equipping the force. The CNPA is currently around 1,900 strong with 9 mobile detection teams operating. The CNPA Forensic Drugs lab has been operating since September 2006.

Strengthening Legal Livelihood Opportunities

The UK recognises that eliminating opium poppy without developing viable legal livelihoods is not sustainable and would make farmers increasingly vulnerable. A sustainable reduction in opium poppy cultivation will require improvements in the living standards of the rural population, including diversifying income sources.

DFID is spending £130 million over three years on alternative livelihoods. In Helmand in 2008 DfID spent £6 million to support wheat farming in Helmand. The programme saw wheat seed and fertiliser distributed to 32,000 farmers in Helmand province, enough seed to grow 26,000 hectares of wheat.