UN Report: Traditional Drugs Remain Most Widely Used in Afghanistan Despite Rise in Synthetic Substances
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has stated in its latest report that despite the growing use of synthetic drugs and the misuse of medicinal substances, traditional drugs still account for the highest consumption levels in Afghanistan.
According to the findings of this report, hashish makes up 46% of drug use among Afghan men, holding the largest share. It is followed by opium at 19%, tablet “K” at 11%, and methamphetamine at 7%.
Participants in the survey identified poverty, unemployment, and economic difficulties as the main factors driving drug consumption in the country; issues that have intensified in recent years under Taliban rule with no effective solutions seen to reduce them.
This survey, conducted across 32 provinces of Afghanistan with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reveals that male drug users have greater access to treatment services, whereas female addicts face more severe obstacles due to social restrictions and a lack of supportive services.
