The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has rejected a United Nations report regarding changes in patterns of drug use in Afghanistan.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had reported that the use of synthetic drugs in Afghanistan is on the rise.
Officials from the Ministry of Interior say that the UN assessment is limited and does not fully reflect the current reality on the ground. They emphasized that the government has made significant efforts to combat drugs, which were not adequately highlighted in the latest UN report.
The MoI spokesman described the cultivation of cannabis (hashish) in the country as having been reduced to zero. Without naming specific countries, he said that cannabis continues to be trafficked into Afghanistan from neighboring states.
Abdul Matin Qani, MoI spokesperson, stated:
“Regarding the latest UNODC report, it should be noted that the survey it cites was conducted a year before publication and does not fully correspond with Afghanistan’s current situation in terms of time and location. The survey was carried out in a limited number of centers and provinces and cannot provide a complete picture of the country. The Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Emirate has taken effective measures in this area. These measures include preventing drug cultivation, expanding rehabilitation centers, increasing public awareness, and providing employment opportunities for recovered individuals—achievements that are insufficiently mentioned in the report.”
The Ministry of Interior attributes drug use and addiction in Afghanistan to war, poverty, and the legacy of foreign occupation, and calls for support from international organizations.
Qani added:
“Although our measures have yielded tangible results, the addiction crisis—which is a legacy of war, poverty, and particularly occupation—requires cooperation and practical support from international institutions. In our view, there has been little practical cooperation, and all costs have been covered by the Islamic Emirate’s own resources.”
The ministry spokesman also noted that UNODC has acknowledged a 95 percent reduction in drug production in Afghanistan. However, it attributed the increased use of cannabis and synthetic drugs to trafficking from neighboring countries.
He emphasized that cannabis cultivation in Afghanistan has been reduced to zero, existing stockpiles have been eliminated, and effective measures have been taken to counter the smuggling of hashish and synthetic drugs into the country.
