UNODC’s report recently shows that drug use in Afghanistan is still mainly influenced by traditional substances; however, the consumption of synthetic drugs and the misuse of medical medicines are on the rise.
This report was released today (Sunday, 1st February) at a joint press conference by UNODC, UNAMA, UNDP, and WHO, under the title “Drug Use Assessment in Afghanistan 2025.”
Representatives of the United Nations at the meeting warned about the growing trend of synthetic drug use and the misuse of medical drugs in Afghanistan.
According to this assessment, men reported the highest levels of drug use for cannabis (46%) and opium (19%), while the use of “K-tablet” pills accounted for 11% and methamphetamine (crystal meth) for 7%.
Polleak Ok Serei, Head of the UNDOC in Afghanistan, said on this matter:
“The findings also highlight the heavy economic burden of drug use. The prices of methamphetamine and opium are higher than daily wages. In some cases, the cost of methamphetamine can amount to up to 138% of a casual worker’s daily income and 67% of a skilled worker’s daily wage.”
The report also states that long-term drug use is closely linked to social and economic challenges in Afghanistan, including poverty, unemployment, and financial difficulties.
Stephen Rodriguez, the UNDP’s representative in Afghanistan, also stressed that the agency will continue its cooperation on reintegrating people with drug addiction into society and providing alternative livelihoods for farmers.
“This survey gives a clear picture of the capacity of treatment centers across the country and offers a better understanding of who is most at risk, where they are located, and what their characteristics are. The assessment also provides a much stronger foundation for designing programs that link health with livelihoods and social reintegration.”
The latest United Nations findings show that Afghanistan still faces serious gaps in providing treatment services for people with drug addiction, including in distribution, access, quality, and gender coverage. A shortage of specialized health workers and inadequate infrastructure were also cited as major challenges.
According to the report, nearly two-thirds of treatment centers provide services only to men, while just 17.1% of these facilities offer health services to women affected by addiction.
Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO’s representative in Afghanistan, also stressed the need for a joint response to the situation, saying:
“Our partnership is built on shared responsibility, coordination, and a common goal of supporting people affected by drug use. Informed, balanced, and humane approaches to addressing these complex issues are essential, and no single organization can solve them alone. That is why cooperation among humanitarian agencies, donors, national authorities, and the media is vital.”
The United Nations offices in Afghanistan have once again assured the continuation of their cooperation in combating drug cultivation and trafficking, as well as in providing treatment for people with addiction in the country.
This survey was conducted from May to April 2025 across 32 provinces of Afghanistan, with 90% of participants being men and 9.8% women.
Reporter: Salima Rahmani
