Opium Addiction In Afghanistan

“During the 2006-2007 poppy growing season, Afghanistan produced a world record opium poppy crop that yielded 8,200 MT of illicit opium—an estimated 93% of the world’s supply.” In an article from USA Today, opium addicts are interviewed and give reasons for their initial opium addiction. Some discuss the fact that opium is the only drug that effectively relieves their pain. Others comment on the guilt they feel for contributing to their children becoming addicts. Many women watch their children while they are at work and may become distracted. In order to keep their children quiet during working hours, their children are given small amounts of opium to make them sleep. Knowledge about opium addiction is not common among individuals in Afghanistan so they use it unaware of the consequences. Many of these issues surrounding drug use in Afghanistan can be linked back to those seen in 19th century China. Opium use and addiction problems in historical China and modern day Afghanistan stem from uninformed individuals, and benefits of the trade and sale of opium. Because the economic, political and social situations were different in regards to opium, the solutions that were effective for the Qing Era China will be ineffective in solving the addiction problem in Afghanistan.
Opium has been utilized for its …show more content…
The individual user built up a tolerance to the drug, making it more difficult to get high leading them to smoke larger doses. The pleasant effects of the drug initially experienced turned into negative side effects, such as increased anxiety. The use of opium also led to risky behaviors potentially putting the individual in direct harm. As the addiction took hold, the user had to continue to use to avoid uncomfortable withdraw symptoms. Some sold their possessions in order to finance their addiction. The poverty that stemmed from addiction put users on the streets to live