Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 06/2012

Drugs in Afghanistan—A Forgotten Issue?

William Byrd, David Mansfield

May 2012

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

Opium will continue to be an important part of the Afghan landscape—with political and security as well as economic ramifications. The ongoing security transition (2011-2014) will be accompanied by greater risks to Afghani­stan's polity, security and economy from the illicit drug industry—including through likely further increases in opium production.