Afghanistan has been one of the countries that have been suffering because of the problem of poppy cultivation and drug trafficking. Because of economic, social and political problems doubled by the continuous instability in the region, the problem has always been invigorated. It is now a part of organized crime in the country with the involvement of large number of people, including very influential ones. Unfortunately, with so many other developments made after the downfall of Taliban, strategic solutions for curbing the issue of narcotics have not been introduced even after very serious concerns. The drug issue has become more complex than was present during the early reign of Taliban and before them. It has rather been internationalized, with intricate networks of its production, preparation, marketing and trafficking.
The measures carried out by Afghan government to counter narcotics have not been very substantial. Though, in accordance to the reports, the country has been able to reduce poppy production by 48%, making its total production about 3,600 tons in 2010, it still remains one of the major contributors of the raw material for heroin made and sold in the international drugmarket. One of the major reasons of failure of Afghan government has been the lack of professional and committed anti-narcotics force that can deal with the situation in accordance to the modern techniques and preventive measures. Afghan narcotics control police seems very juvenile as compared to the giant opponent. Undoubtedly, Afghan authorities have to seek the help of international community for improvement and modernization of their mechanism of control. The international world, every now and then, has been providing the desired assistance but a major portion of the task has yet to be done.
The role of Chinese support in this regard, for the last several years, has been appreciative. Afghan authorities have been receiving assistance from Chinese official regarding drug control techniques and professional suggestions regarding the functioning of an anti-narcotics force. The on-going Drug Control Law Enforcement Workshop is another step in the same regard. The workshop has been organized by Ministry of Public Security of China and aims to further strengthen the co-operation between China and Afghanistan regarding the control of narcotics. The workshop has already started from July 06 in Xinjiang Police Officers' Academy in China and is expected to last till July 21,2011. Afghan law enforcement officers on drug control are attending the workshop and it is hoped that this workshop will further polish the skills of the Afghan Narcotics Control Police in drug preventive education, methods of drug search operation and other important relevant areas. Earlier the assistance and training provided by Chinese officials have been very helpful for Afghan anti-narcotics officials to capture drug traffickers and to incapacitate the attempts of drug production.
It is really important that the international community, especially the countries with modern and developed capabilities must help Afghanistan in getting rid of this menace or at least reduce it to a certain extent as this problem of narcotics is a threat not only to Afghanistan but the whole world, and the culprits from the entire international drug market are involved in it. On the other hand Afghan authorities must get serious about the situation and must fulfill their responsibilities with full devotion and determination. Modern techniques and latest information regarding anti-narcotics strategies can all go in vain if the people implementing them are not truly sincere to their work. Furthermore, government must also strive to stand against the culprits from within the system and nullify all the attempts that are aimed at pressurizing the people in duty. A promising long term strategy is really a crying need at the moment along with the short term policies and procedures.