Demotix, January 19, 2011

Drugs use in Afghanistan

Afghanistan remains the world's largest producer of opium

In Afghanistan a bout 1 million people are addicted.

A growing number of Afghans — including children — are escaping the pain of war and poverty by using opium or heroin, for as little as a dollar a day.

Experts say that the alarming trend is not being addressed by the Afghan government and its international partners, even though most officials acknowledge that the drug scourge threatens lasting stability in Afghanistan.

Many of the addicts, especially the women, feed their habit in secret, inside walled, mud-floor family compounds.

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