The prior to the invasion the Taliban had reduced opium production by 91%. Following the invasion Afghanistan is now the world leading producer of opium.
The United States War on Terrorism is having negative consequences for the War on Drugs. Prior to the American invasion, the Taliban had been highly effective in eliminating opium countries production. Since the invasion opium production has steadily been on the rise. Afghanistan farmers have a long tradition of farming opium in their country. Following the invasion many were out of work and returned to their former job, farming opium poppies. The lack of centralized control by the government has allowed Afghan opium production to become the largest in the world.
During the 1980’s America supported Afghan resistance to the Soviet invasion of their country. To fund their resistance to the Soviets many tribal leaders grew and sold opium. The former CIA director of operations in Afghanistan, Charles Cogan said, “Our main mission was to do as much damage to the Soviets. We didn’t really have the resources or the time to devote to an investigation of the drug trade.” After the 1989 Soviet withdrawal the CIA also left Afghanistan. This led to an era of feuding warlords funded by opium money.
Slowly, the Taliban destroyed other warlord factions and, became the dominate force in Afghan politics. In 1999Afghanistan saw its largest opium crop to date. In 2000, however, Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar worked with the UN to eliminate heroin production. In one year the Afghan opium crop was reduced 91%. This could very easily represent the most successful anti-drug campaign in the world.
The next year however, the American led invasion overthrew Omar’s government. With coalition forces fighting the Taliban and Al-Qaida; the opium fields went unwatched. Two out of the next three opium crops were the largest in Afghan history. Afghanistan has surpassed the traditional opium sources of the Asian “Golden Triangle” in both quantity and value. In addition to being the world leading producer of opium; Afghanistan is also a leader in hashish production.
The American government prosecutes the war on drugs when it is convenient for them. When the American government want to overthrow a government they do it. If the government supported by drug money, like Panama in the 1990’s, they claim it is in the name of the War on Drugs. If the government takes aggressive steps in eliminating drugs they get toppled as well. Only when the rhetoric of the War on Drugs supports the governments chosen course of Action is it used.
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