UNODC Report Sounds Alarm over Rising Synthetic Drug Use in Afghanistan
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\nDrug use in Afghanistan remains dominated by traditional substances, while synthetic and pharmaceutical drug misuse is rising, Khaama Press reported. <\/p>\n
A new UNODC report released on Sunday, February 1, finds drug use in Afghanistan remains dominated by cannabis and opium, while synthetic drugs and misused pharmaceuticals are steadily increasing.<\/p>\n
Survey results show cannabis and opium remain most common, while methamphetamine and so-called \u201cTablet K\u201d are increasingly reported in communities across the country.<\/p>\n
Researchers say poverty, unemployment, illness, and psychological distress are major drivers of drug dependence, with drug costs often exceeding a worker\u2019s daily income.<\/p>\n
The report also highlights health risks, noting many drug users lack access to treatment and sterile equipment, while women face greater barriers to receiving care.<\/p>\n
UNODC and UNDP officials say the findings will guide future policies focused on treatment, harm reduction, and addressing economic conditions fueling drug use.<\/p>\n
Previous UNODC surveys showed rising injection drug use and widespread needle sharing, raising concerns about disease transmission and gaps in harm-reduction coverage.<\/p>\n
Facility mapping also revealed treatment services remain limited, unevenly distributed, and mostly focused on men, leaving women and rural populations underserved.<\/p>\n
Experts stress that tackling drug use requires linking treatment with mental health support, employment opportunities, and social protection to reduce dependence pressures.<\/p>\n
UN agencies also call for expanding voluntary, rights-based treatment and reducing stigma so more people seek help without fear of discrimination.<\/p>\n
The report concludes that prevention, accessible treatment, and economic support remain essential to curb drug misuse and protect Afghanistan\u2019s communities from long-term social and health damage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNODC Report Sounds Alarm over Rising Synthetic Drug Use in Afghanistan ——————————- Drug use in Afghanistan remains dominated by traditional substances, while synthetic and pharmaceutical drug misuse is rising, Khaama Press reported. A new UNODC report released on Sunday, February 1, finds drug use in Afghanistan remains dominated by cannabis and opium, while synthetic drugs …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":139803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-139804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afghanistan"],"yoast_head":"\n