Opium cultivation emerged many centuries ago, leaving behind a distinct legacy full of hardship for the Afghan government. Unfortunately, opium has led to corruption of the country; the addicted Afghans roam the streets searching for more opium to fuel their addictions, while the drug lords barge into Afghanistan’s towns, fighting and rioting for power. Furthermore, opium in Afghanistan became extremely popular during the 20th century, and since then, its production has tripled! Currently, Afghanistan grows eighty percent of the world’s opium. Due to the excessive amounts of this drug in Afghanistan, people use it frequently because it’s very affordable, easy to find, and extremely addictive. Additionally, opium is tearing apart Afghanistan,
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As more people become addicted, the higher the demand for opium grows. In Afghanistan, thousands are severely dependent on opium in order to function. Afghanistan produces an abundance of opium; therefore, those who are addicted do not have trouble finding the drug. Unfortunately, once you take opium, you are hooked. To avoid going through the uncomfortable withdrawal, and due to their high opium tolerance, the addicted take higher doses of opium to feel better. Furthermore, this leads to an accidental overdose, and the decrease of the Afghanistan population. Statistics show that more of Afghanistan’s people die from overdosing on opium than those do serving for their country. Most would say that opium’s effect on Afghanistan is negative; however, the growing addiction and demand has created a money-making outlet in which the government can profit from. Therefore, the Afghanistan government hasn’t offered any solution to eliminate opium because addiction will continue to fund the country, even if it costs the well-being of the Afghan …show more content…
The Taliban is an organization that plans to take over Afghanistan’s land, government, and ultimately power. Also, since the Taliban has great influence in Afghanistan, they have the power over opium production. Overall, opium funds organizations such as the Taliban, and will continue to profit millions as the opium market grows. Additionally, without opium in Afghanistan, the Taliban could lose a large percentage of power. This is a benefit that would result from eradicating opium in Afghanistan, but opium farmers are stuck in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, opium farmers are under control of the Taliban, which forces their workers to cooperate, or not be paid. Therefore, farmers grow the drug because it’s their only option that will still put food on the table. “‘The government hasn’t offered any alternative or help to the people, so what should they do? Starve to death?’” (qt. in Margherita Stancati
As more people become addicted, the higher the demand for opium grows. In Afghanistan, thousands are severely dependent on opium in order to function. Afghanistan produces an abundance of opium; therefore, those who are addicted do not have trouble finding the drug. Unfortunately, once you take opium, you are hooked. To avoid going through the uncomfortable withdrawal, and due to their high opium tolerance, the addicted take higher doses of opium to feel better. Furthermore, this leads to an accidental overdose, and the decrease of the Afghanistan population. Statistics show that more of Afghanistan’s people die from overdosing on opium than those do serving for their country. Most would say that opium’s effect on Afghanistan is negative; however, the growing addiction and demand has created a money-making outlet in which the government can profit from. Therefore, the Afghanistan government hasn’t offered any solution to eliminate opium because addiction will continue to fund the country, even if it costs the well-being of the Afghan …show more content…
The Taliban is an organization that plans to take over Afghanistan’s land, government, and ultimately power. Also, since the Taliban has great influence in Afghanistan, they have the power over opium production. Overall, opium funds organizations such as the Taliban, and will continue to profit millions as the opium market grows. Additionally, without opium in Afghanistan, the Taliban could lose a large percentage of power. This is a benefit that would result from eradicating opium in Afghanistan, but opium farmers are stuck in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, opium farmers are under control of the Taliban, which forces their workers to cooperate, or not be paid. Therefore, farmers grow the drug because it’s their only option that will still put food on the table. “‘The government hasn’t offered any alternative or help to the people, so what should they do? Starve to death?’” (qt. in Margherita Stancati