The Opium Problem: Southeast Asian Country Surpasses Afghanistan
The international community is in shock after news of a new record-breaking opium production from a Southeast Asian country. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) annual survey, opium output from the region has surpassed that of Afghanistan, the world’s longest-standing opium producer.
The report, released in December 2020, revealed that this Southeast Asian country now outstrips Afghanistan in terms of both total opium production and the area of land dedicated to opium farming. It is estimated that the region now produces approximately 6,300 tonnes of opium annually, compared to Afghanistan’s 5,400 tonnes.
In spite of this, the Southeast Asian country has remained largely unmoved by the UNODC’s warnings of its impending opium production. The country’s government has continued its opium production with the intention of achieving greater economic and social stability.
The UNODC’s survey made it clear that the “opium production surpassed all known records” and that the Southeast Asian country’s production of opium “now appears to be higher than ever before.”
While the international community is appalled by the Southeast Asian country’s disregard for the opium problem, it is important to acknowledge the progress made in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s ban on opium production resulted in a significant decrease in the country’s annual opium output and a corresponding decline in opium prices.
The Taliban’s ban has also enabled Afghanistan to slowly progress towards achieving greater economic and social stability by allowing more resources and investments to be put into other sectors of its economy. Afghanistan’s sustained progress has also had a significant impact on its citizens’ wellbeing as many Afghans have experienced increased living standards, employment opportunities and improved access to education.
It is imperative that the Southeast Asian country takes action to curb its opium production and break the vicious cycle of illicit drug trafficking. The country has the potential to replicate the positive changes that have been made in Afghanistan and can benefit greatly from greater economic and social stability.
The UNODC’s report highlighted the need for “increased commitment” and “stronger action” on the part of policymakers in the region to address the problems posed by the illicit opium trade. The international community must take a united stand and work for the betterment of the Southeast Asian country’s citizens and the region as a whole.
It is encouraging to see that the Southeast Asian country has taken some initial steps in tackling the opium problem. Recently the government announced that it will be introducing a crop substitution programme that seeks to encourage opium farmers to switch to more profitable crops.
The success of the programme will largely depend on the government’s ability to provide farmers with adequate resources and training. Moreover, the international community must continue to pressure the Southeast Asian country’s government to take a proactive approach towards the opium problem and ensure that the opium production is brought under control.
The Southeast Asian country has the potential to create a more prosperous and stable future for its citizens and the international community must support this cause. Opium production must be brought under control and only then will the country be able to reap the many long-term benefits of a drug-free society.
