Global drug trafficking is damaging the environment, but in countries like Afghanistan, it’s keeping employment high and political instability. Open Society Foundation has published a report where they reveal policies backed up by the UN and have been financed by the United States, and record their damage to the environment.
Global Drug Trafficking is Accelerating Climate Change
Drug growers, producers, and traffickers are getting pushed into new territories. They have only left deforestation and environmental degradation in their wake. Not only that, but it’s causing a mass spread of harmful chemicals on places like national parks and indigenous reserves.
The US has spent a good part of the last 40 years fighting illegal drug trafficking. Their main tactics include eradication and interdiction. In spite of these efforts, the drug market and drug use rates have remained stable. According to the Organization of American States, illegal drug trade generates about $320 billion per year.
Fertilizers to Grow and Process Coca Are Harmful to the Environment
Fertilizers are commonly known to be harmful to the environment The United Nations Office of Drug Control has confirmed that this is no different for the ones used to grow and process coca leaves. Over 700,000 acres of forest have been destroyed to facilitate coca leave crop growing between 2001 and 2013. There’s been little discussed as to why this is happening.
Two Wrongs Don’t Make A Right, Especially When it Comes to Climate Change
There’s a distinct paradox in UNODOC policy. While drug trafficking worldwide threat, the UN still has a pledge to ‘protect biodiversity, secure ecosystem services, ensure the rights of indigenous people, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable development’. So, why are they countering the threat of drug trafficking with harmful chemicals?
When illicit drug fields are sprayed with harmful chemicals, such as glyphosate, it forces growers and producers to move shop. Drug policy currently gives them that leeway. When government organizations keep chasing with the same method, it’s the planet that takes the hardest blow.
Fumigation Campaigns Are Actually A Terrible Idea
Efforts such as the Plan Colombia sprayed glyphosate onto illegal coca crops. It turned out to have a negative impact on the region’s wildlife, legal food crops, cattle and even the health of residents. Growers were forced to move all the way into national parks, where spraying this kind of substance is illegal. In Peru, coca leaves are even properly cultivated because of the reduced government control.
Plans like these do not work. In fact, they have been shown to work when there is no hostility involved. Bolivia has been able to reduce the rate of coca cultivation after kicking out the American DEA in 2008.
Meanwhile in Afghanistan, Opiates Have an Incredible Boom
With the world thrown into mayhem while trying to control drug trafficking in South America, Afghanistan has seen an unexpected reliance on the industry. Cultivation of opiates has become one of the primary agricultural activities in the country. It’s also one of the most profitable ones.
Afghanistan produced around 6,062 tons of opium in 2013, which is about 35% more than they did in 2012. These numbers are only getting bigger, even despite Afghan officials trying to cut down the cultivation of the plant. Opium is the main ingredient in heroin, and the country shows no signs of slowing down production.
With foreign aid slowly slipping from their hands, Afghanistan is faced with an alarming rate of political and financial instability. There is also a high potential for unemployment. This is why the drug manufacturing market is seeing a steady rise.
Afghanistan Has More than 1.5 Million Addicts
The fact that the opium economy is getting better might not be the best news for the high number of addicts in the country, but Afghanistan would be in much worse shape if that market wasn’t doing well. Opium gives the country employment through harvesting season, and it keeps people busy from protesting government policy. Sadly enough, opium is profitable. There is no legal economy alternative for many. It will likely not slow down anytime soon.
Where Can Any Compromises Be Made?
There are important agreements that need to be made before serious measures can be taken in regards to illegal drug trafficking. Firstly, organizations must draw a line between protecting the environment and keep drug trafficking low. Specifically, one that neither benefits either especially. In addition, countries should assess any changes of restoring financial and political stability. Only then can countries have a serious discussion about climate change, drug control, and general political stability.
The same kind of benefits cannot be compared to those made from California marijuana, but it’s not likely that opium production will get any more popular on US soil. There are many things that governments need to discuss because there are good and bad effects for all kind of drugs, but producing or eradicating production should not harm the environment.
