Afghanistan’s Drug Trade Since 2001

Richard MooreCapstone Presentation

December 2008

Importance Main source of revenue for Afghanistan International effects of the drug trade Taliban advantage

Afghanistan’s Opium History Conditions are perfect Poppy farmers perspective:

Advantages Money Climate

Limited crop choices

Summary of Afghanistan Timeline slide

Opium and the Taliban Religious oppression Methods of punishment Downfall of the Taliban Farmers Rejoice

US Takes Charge… Sort of Lax enforcement Implementation of new anti-opium

government How does this affect opium production?

IT INCREASED plus increased shipment

Return of the Taliban Poppy production Drugs for arms trade Afghan support for Taliban Coalition & Taliban

Drug Trade out of Afghanistan 3 main routes

Iran Pakistan Tajikistan

Problems In Countries of Imported Opium Human Rights Violations Health Risks

Needle sharing Hard addiction

Afghanistan versus other major drug producing regions of the

world.

Afghanistan versus Columbia

The Golden Triangle Asia’s second highest

opium producing region. Made up of 4 countries. 350,000 square miles.

What do we do? Certain Responsibilities we have as an

occupying force. How can we keep Afghanistan

economically sound without its main source of revenue?

Drug Prevention Destroying Stockpiles Manning the borders Intercepting the supply lines

Conclusions Very Difficult to break the network of a

primarily drug based economy in an impoverished country.