Stupéfiants, crime et terrorisme
5. The drugs scenario
In 2022, the Deputy Ministry of the Counter Narcotics Police (DM-CNP) under the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of the DfA assumed an additional role aiming to reduce drug demand by enforcing the implementation of the Decree on the “Prohibition of poppy cultivation and all types of narcotics” issued on 3 April 2022. Since then, the DM-CNP has focused on eradicating opium cultivation and reducing the production of other drugs, such as methamphetamine, while also referring people who use drugs to centres managed by the MoI or DTCs under the MoPH.
Quantifying opiate stocks is critical for anticipating possible disruptions to global heroin markets and assessing economic impacts in Afghanistan
Opium production within Afghanistan fell by some 95% in 2023 and remained very low for 2024, but not all that is produced makes its way to end markets in the same year.
The series on Afghanistan drug insights
The Afghanistan Drug Insights are a series of reports that provide latest data and in-depth analysis on aspects of the evolving drug situation in Afghanistan. This second volume provides the latest figures on national and regional opium poppy production in 2024 and the challenges farmers are facing as they adapt to new economic conditions. The remaining reports in the series will cover a range of topics related to the drug situation in Afghanistan, including the socioeconomic situation of farmers after the drugs ban; drug trafficking and supply; and treatment availability and drug use.
Key points
As a result of a reduction in production, the amount of opiates being trafficking out of Afghanistan has declined in recent years and it appears that less heroin is being processed in the country.
Opium cultivation in Afghanistan 2024: Poppy cultivation estimates after the second year of the enforced ban on drugs
Afghanistan currently sits at a crossroads. The illegal drug economy has traditionally been an important source of income across many segments of society, especially many rural farming households that are especially vulnerable to economic shocks. However, starting with the 2023 crop season, the de-facto Authorities of Afghanistan enforced a ban that virtually eliminated poppy cultivation across much of the country, drastically reducing the potential income of farmers from that year’s harvest.
4. Treatment options
Different institutions address various aspects of SUD treatment in Afghanistan. The MoPH is the primary responsible authority for leading, implementing and overseeing drug-related harm reduction19 and treatment programmes from de facto authorities in Afghanistan. Services like overdose management, OAT, and outreach are overseen by the Afghanistan National Program for Control of AIDS, STIs, and Hepatitis (ANPASH) under the MoPH, led by the Communicable Disease Control Programme (CDC). Drug treatment services, especially residential DTCs, for men, women, and children are overseen by the national Drug Demand Reduction Department (DDR).
Opium prices are at record highs
Dry opium prices in Afghanistan have increased on several occasions over the last four years. The long-running average was around US$75 per kilogram before the DfA took over.
Acknowledgements
This report was prepared by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), supported by the UNODC Information Centre for Researching and Analysing Translational threats related to Drugs and Crime. It is part of a series of shorter reports for 2024 that detail several developments in Afghanistan.
The series on Afghanistan drug insights
The Afghanistan Drug Insights are a series of reports that provide the latest data and in-depth analysis on aspects of the evolving drug situation in Afghanistan. This fourth volume provides an assessment of drug seizure trends near Afghanistan and estimates potential opium stocks within the country by the end of 2022, just before the start of the ban. The remaining reports in the series will cover a range of topics related to the drug situation in Afghanistan, including the socioeconomic situation of farmers after the drugs ban, and druguse.
The series on Afghanistan drug insights
The Afghanistan Drug Insights is a series of reports that provide latest data and in-depth analysis on aspects of the evolving drug situation in Afghanistan. This first volume provides the latest figures on national and provincial opium poppy cultivation in 2024 and recent opium price developments. The remaining reports in the series will cover a range of topics related to the drug situation in Afghanistan, including opium production and rural development; the socioeconomic situation of farmers after the drugs ban; drug trafficking and supply; and treatment availability and drug use.
Acknowledgements
Minerals Crime: Crimes in the supply chains of critical energy transition minerals was prepared by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), under the supervision of Candice Welsch, Director of the Division, and Angela Me, Chief, Research and Trend Analysis Branch, and the coordination of Anja Korenblik, Chief, Geospatial Analysis and Programme Delivery Section, Hatem Fouad Aly Mohamed, Regional Representative, UNODC Office for GCC Region.
Conclusion
The global push for decarbonizing the en-ergy sector, combined with technological advancements in areas such as defence, aerospace and digital infrastructure, has exponentially increased the demand for certain minerals (CETM), making CETM mining a vital economic and strategic activity.
Law enforcement challenges and responses
Law enforcement plays an essential role in tackling minerals crime, serving on the front line of efforts to disrupt criminal activities, enforce environmen-tal and labour regulations, and protect communities from violence, exploitation and environmental harm.
Views of the survey and analysis directorate of the counter Narcotics of the Deputy of Ministry of Interior on the UNODC opium poppy 2025 report
First of all, the Directorate of the Survey and Analysis of Narcotics thanks the esteemed UNODC office for preparing the report on opium poppy cultivation 2025 and sharing it with us and asking our views and comments on the report.
Acknowledgements
This report was prepared by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), supported by the UNODC Information Centre for Researching and Analysing Translational threats related to Drugs and Crime. It is part of a series of shorter reports for 2024 that detail several developments in Afghanistan.