Taliban Official Meets UN Narcotics Authorities to Discuss Drug Control Efforts

The Deputy Minister for Counter-Narcotics of the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior in Kabul met with the head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the regional chief of the organization to discuss cooperation in combating drug cultivation, trafficking, and addiction.

During the meeting, the Deputy Minister claimed that preventing narcotics is a top priority for the Taliban administration. Despite limited resources, efforts have been made to curb production and provide treatment for addicts. However, independent organizations have repeatedly emphasized that the lack of transparency and sustainable programs makes it difficult to assess these claims.

He urged the United Nations to expand collaboration in providing alternative livelihoods for farmers, especially in areas affected by drug cultivation, as well as in supporting addicted individuals—an issue that has been one of the main challenges in Afghanistan’s fight against drugs for years.

Representatives from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime expressed appreciation for the efforts made and stressed the continuation of cooperation. Nonetheless, experts argue that any effective collaboration requires clear policies, accountability, and attention to the social consequences of the Taliban administration’s decisions.