The Afghanistan Drug Insights is a series of reports that provide latest data and in-depth analysis on aspects of the evolving drug situation in Afghanistan. This first volume provides the latest figures on national and provincial opium poppy cultivation in 2024 and recent opium price developments. The remaining reports in the series will cover a range of topics related to the drug situation in Afghanistan, including opium production and rural development; the socioeconomic situation of farmers after the drugs ban; drug trafficking and supply; and treatment availability and drug use. Given the unprecedented nature of the ongoing drugs ban in Afghanistan, having continued for a second year, UNODC has sought to examine different aspects of the drug situation in that country. Taken together, reports in the series paint a comprehensive picture of the enforcement of the ban on production, trafficking and consumption of all drugs and delve deep into the impacts of the ban on the Afghan population, as well as on Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries and the wider region. The insights are aimed at informing efforts to address demand and supply of drugs within and outside Afghanistan in an objective and timely manner, using latest data at highest quality standards.

Afghanistan drug insights volume 1: opium poppy cultivation 2024 
Afghanistan currently sits at a crossroads. The illegal drug economy has traditionally been an important source of income across many segments of society, especially many rural farming households that are especially vulnerable to economic shocks. However, starting with the 2023 crop season, the de-facto Authorities of Afghanistan enforced a ban that virtually eliminated poppy cultivation across much of the country, drastically reducing the potential income of farmers from that year’s harvest...

Afghanistan drug insights volume 2: 2024 opium production and rural development
Opium production in Afghanistan continues being much lower than before the drugs ban in 2022, despite an increase by 30% between 2023 and 2024, reaching 433 tons in 2024. Even with such an increase, production remains 93% below 2022 levels, prior to the enforcement of the drugs ban by the De facto Authorities (DfA). In terms of geography, cultivation has shifted. While the South-western provinces were the epicentre of opium cultivation in the last two decades, including through 2023, in 2024, over two thirds of opium production were concentrated in the North-eastern provinces, particularly Badakhshan. In 2024, farmers cultivated more alternative crops on land that was previously left fallow, turning to staples such as cereals, and to a lesser extent cash crops like cotton. However, crops cultivated by farmers in alternative to opium remain significantly less profitable than opium, with opium providing up to 60 times more revenues when compared to wheat. Without profitable licit alternatives, the continued loss of opium income could encourage some farmers to challenge the drug ban and return to opium poppy cultivation, shift to other negative coping mechanisms or migrate outside of the country...

Afghanistan drug insights volume 3: mapping of facilities for treatment of substance use disorders: addressing service provision challenges in a humanitarian crisis 
This is the first comprehensive survey on the availability of capacity and resources for substance use disorders (SUD) treatment services in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for an improved and systematic approach to address the pressing health challenges posed by drug use and its consequences in a rapidly shifting drug landscape. The survey identified 82 operational treatment facilities, predominantly residential Drug Treatment Centres (DTCs), serving mainly male patients. Despite the availability of treatment services in 32 out of 34 provinces, significant disparities exist in service distribution, accessibility, and gender representation, particularly affecting female patients...