Afghan government firm on fighting drug

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah has described producing and trafficking illicit drug as a national problem and said the Government of National Unity is determined to fight the contraband and get the country rid of the menace.

Abdullah said this in a video released Sunday on YouTube to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Traffing.

"Unfortunately the production of drug in the country, its processing and trafficking and above all addiction of hundreds of thousands of our youth to drug has changed into national problem," Abdullah said.

He also noted that Afghan government at national level has specific programs to fight against drug, its producing and trafficking.

However, the Afghan CE described drug problem as an international problem too, saying, "Since drug problem is an international problem, therefore the cooperation of international community with Afghan government is significant in fighting illicit drug."

The government statistics showed that militancy-plagued Afghanistan produces some 90 percent of opium poppy with a market value roughly of 70 billion U.S. dollars every year. Poppy is the raw material for manufacturing heroin and other types of drugs in the world.

"Illicit drug is hazardous to the world community and it threatens the health of human beings. As a Muslim and member of human society it is our responsibility to do our best in overcoming drug problem and achieving drug-free Afghanistan," Abdullah pointed out in his short speech.
Source:XINHUA