Washington, 28 November 2003 (RFE/RL) -- Statistics released by the White House today show that poppy cultivation in Afghanistan doubled between the year 2002 and 2003, rising to a level 36 times higher than during the last year of the Taliban's rule. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy said the area planted with poppies -- used to make heroin -- is now 61,000 hectares compared to just 1,685 hectares in 2001.
The poor security situation in many Afghan regions was blamed for the lack of drug-control enforcement. The agency's director, John Walters, said profits from drug production are "putting money in the pocket of terrorists."
The poor security situation in many Afghan regions was blamed for the lack of drug-control enforcement. The agency's director, John Walters, said profits from drug production are "putting money in the pocket of terrorists."