of the over the nearly 20 years the united states had been in afghanistan, washington had spent more than $8000000000.00 trying to eradicate adkins poppy production. instead, poppy production always steadily increased, producing up to 6800 tons of opium in 2022. during those years, the movement and quarterly made millions of dollars, taxing farmers, and middle men to move their drugs outside of afghanistan. but even within afghanistan, there is an estimated $3500000.00 drug users, which accounts for nearly 10 percent of the total population. but those days are coming to an end. now that the taliban is back in power. i'm christiane. you're watching the cost of everything. we're today. we're going to take a look at the controversial market for opium and how in production, and how it is affecting afghanistan as well as the rest of the world.

as a result of the taliban, of the 2022 opium crop, and afghanistan was the most profitable one in years with cultivation up by nearly a 3rd as people raised for a supply shock. opium price loves toward following the announcement of the band. an income made by ask in farmers more than tripled from 425000000 and 202121 point 4000000000 in 2022. now opium is the essential ingredient for the manufacturing of the street, drug, heron, and the class of medical prescription. opiates that millions rely on for pain medication. prior to the taliban re taking the control of the country cultivation of opium poppies. enough gives us an increased by 32 percent over 20212233000 heck, there's making the 2022 crop. the 3rd largest area under cultivation since

monitoring began. now cultivation continues to be concentrated in the south western parts of the country which accounted for 73 percent of the total area. it is undoubtedly afghanistan's most important agricultural product to. however, within the short here, the tollman managed to sharply reduce the opium poppy cultivation, cutting production from over one 130000 heck, there's to just 865. heck, there's this year. farmers in the country south are now calling on the government to help them by providing alternative prob cultivation. but it's not an easy solution to just replace poppy. most households don't own land, so replacing poppy with wheat or corn is and viable for afghanistan's rural sector . most atkins don't achieve food security by growing their own food. rather they grow cash crops are produced livestock, which has been sold to produce resources and purchase food needs. we or core is

a low value problem, and a very poor substitute for opium is now due to the band, afghanistan's farm economy has lost more than $1000000000.00 per year worth of economic activity. making the people in these world villages even more susceptible to hunger, mal nutrition and associated health problems. the band is not only effective allies, afghanistan citizens, but also the many in europe as well. the poppy shortage will make it more profitable for criminals to manufacture. synthetic opioids instead such as fentanyl, fentanyl is 50 times stronger than natural heroine, make it much easier to overdose. the european monitoring center for drugs and drug addiction. so that's a steady supply. i've asked in here on, in to europe may have actually helped to shield them from far deadlier synthetic opiates during the previous opium band in 2001 fentanyl 1st appeared on the estonian drug market and quickly became

a persistent problem by 2003 sentinel had almost completely replaced heroine in estonia, and for the next 14 years left the nation sufferings, the worst overdose crisis in europe. global demand for opium is up 26 percent between 20102020. so if a fantasy has opened, supplied, dries up, then it will push addicts around the world towards other more dangerous kinds of highs. now, with this in mind, let's bring in professors days there are hop in lewis and clark university. so professor, what has been the impact of talents drug on opium production? has there been any noticeable improvements in the regions drug problem as a result? well, the bond declared the opium production band in april of 2022. in all indications are that the, the band where has been very effective thus far that the drug contribution has been

reduced by uh, 90 percent. according to alex s e a. l. c. i a s, a very respectable bridges, your research firm and other indications by the bbc and other sources indicate that best far the band has been very effective. however, the taliban declared a ban on drugs in spring. $22000.00 run. it was very effective at the time, but then all things considered the drug industry rebound it. so now we know that there are very powerful incentives for opium production in scanned is done. for one thing it's about, it's just of the app gen g, d p. and also it is, or as you know, or tens of billions of dollars worth of money involved at the global international

market. so there's a money incentive into there are very powerful international and both of our jones involved in drugs. we all know about the international cartridges, but roughly uh, at one point even the went up the fm presidents was involved in the, the drug industry and his brother are you him cuz a drive is fascinated, independent, hard due to competition over drugs. it's we, uh, the people where they're drugs, they're growing, they haven't, i'm and the hard not that hard was done. these people have no other alternative. people are desperate to poor. there are very small land owners, and there is no alternative means of live diverse for the, the people who are involved in that drug in this fee. and finally, the where drug production is very rapid constitute the basis for the after

um, uh, power. so there are many, many incentives you know, that to i involved in drug production. and i, and also there's a huge supply of drugs already uh, with all doors and, uh, drug park shows, you know, i found some producers about 6000 tons of drugs. and the $6000.00 tons of drugs produced in 2021 is in warehouses and they have increased the price is uh, but this will continue. so, uh and there's no comprehensive planning to provide an alternative views for the people who depend on drugs for their livelihood. furthermore, the conditions enough to understand it now are such that are very conducive to drug production or marketing, you know, and consumption. and there are also between 3 and

a half and 4000000 passes and drug users. the 1000000 asked um added, you know, how do we need a drug supplies? and finally, if it's not opium, now it's um, uh, methamphetamines because the plant is tedra, etc, which is the major producer of the depth and setup in grows why? of all rep scanner sign is so slow, the synthetic drugs are replacing opium. so for these reasons, you know, it is very likely that a drug production would, would increase, although it has decreased right now. and how significant is the opium industry and i cannot stand in terms of its contribution to the local economy and the livelihood? well, it's a major contributory, right? as i said, it's estimated that the drug industry contributes between $1.00 and $2000000000.00

to the local industries. for example, that you brought one kilogram of tomato it will be and your daughter. but if you produce one kilo of opium, it will bring you about $350.00 and in the international market, se portland, new york and london, that one kilogram, our floor plan would bring you about 40 $5000.00. so, you know, money is a major, major incentive, especially for people who have very little else to feed themselves with. are there any repercussions or challenges faced by the local communities or farmers due to the ban on opium production? right. yes. well, as you well know, you know, 9 out of 10 app jones right now on the are, are poor and hungry and they depend on international assistance when the international assistance is clearly declining from about 4000000000

a year or so ago, or 2 about 1000000000 this year furthermore, as you know, there's a major, there are major sanctions imposed by the united states senate allies, economic expansions, and other kinds of suspension that i found has done and asked janice, bond money is being frozen in american and swiss bank. so covered the degradation disease in hunger are a major incentive for the production of drugs. and as i said, you know, the develop nations have rough environment and that's kind of stand. his bottom environment is one of the worst in the whole world. and so all these conditions are going to go deeper and become, you know, for people to resort to drugs in one way or another. and as i said, if you could been in the opium, certainly, you know, the mess from fed up in industry and the synthetic drug industry is going to to

flourish. in other words, when you frustrate them, this, it economy, which it is, you know, nature international policies, reduction of the aid sanctions, you know, drought and so forth. then under these conditions and when there's no comprehensive development strategy for a status burn, then under these conditions it listed economy, wood, floors. there's no way to stop it. and what are the potential economic and social consequences of drawing up afghanistan is major opium supply for the rest of the world. really, you know, the rest of the world for one thing, there's a supply side, and there is the demand side to the drugs. and this, you know, the demand side is also very, very strong. in other words, as long as you know, concealed my interest in rog and centrally asia and the middle east and in other

parts of the world. as long as they're willing to pay as much as you know, the required then drugs would be for those either in that status out or in the golden triangle. and i know south america and other places and it's inside opium is that i said it will be synthetic drugs, which is exactly what is happening right now. thank you so much, professors. i have a please stick around the professor's. i hear what tom will stay with us right after the break. and when we come back, we will explore what countries are taking over the opium production market in asia . don't go away. the russian states never saw one of the most sense community best. nothing was all sense and up the

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with of data st. lagging in production, the supply of opium increased sharply in myanmar raising to a 9 year high to nearly $795.00 metric tons. in 2022. the un believes that this is driven by economic hardship and insecurity along with a high or global prices for opium. that is used to make heroine me in march as the world's 2nd largest producer of opium after afghanistan. and the 2 countries are the source of the most haron sold around the world to me and mars opium economy is valued at up to $2000000000.00,

while the regional health and trade is valued at around 10 $1000000000.00. opium farmers earn $280.00 per kilogram due to strong demand for how early morphine and cody and opium poppy cultivation areas in 2022 rows by 3rd 240100. heck, there's me and mar in an area known as the golden triangle. but beatrice higher production cannot replace the shortfall from afghanistan. and officials and your fear that europe's hair on market could soon be in for a supply shock, where it could be filled by something much worse, and much more dangerous. looking to satisfy demand, myanmar is turning to the production of synthetic drugs to replace opium given is cheaper, manufacturing costs. opium, farming is labor intensive compared to manufacturing fentanyl, which can easily be sold to the same desperate attics. one kilo the drive is far easier to smuggle into the market than 50 kilos of heron yet would generate the

exact same revenue. so in the end, the gap left by the collapse of the world's largest opium market could be filled by fentanyl and others, synthetic opioids, substances that are killing more young and middle aged people than cancer, heart disease or guns, making this war on drugs. a complete failure in its place are newer and far more dangerous criminal goods and drug markets being established and meanwhile asked in farmers and others who rely on poppy trade had been driven to leave the country further undermining the domestic economy and exacerbating the migration pressures on large parts of europe, asia, and america for this and more or less spring and again, professor as a horrible hub lewis and clark university. now, professor, how does the rise of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl impact,

the global drug landscape, and the demand for asking opium? the demand has always been there because conditions are difficult in the united states. i mean, you and i, i live in this country and we know what is happening uh, in the economy and politics. culture are, you know, idea logic of war stairs and left and right. so you know, and the different forces. so, and depression, anxiety, static, i mean there are, and almost problems in this country and throughout the rest. and it forces. unfortunately, the people who somehow remedy their depression and in missouri and so there wouldn't be an enormous need for all kinds of drugs. and as i said, it said dr. the plant, etc. which is the leading producer uh from the synthetics grows. why are all over afghanistan? and, and then the other, eric country side, you know, the middle east, and so that's in america and so forth. so, and as i said, you know,

synthetic drugs where it's, which at one point you didn't hear about. and that's kind of back now are a major drug industry in a standard time. and it looks like even that, that it, brian are unable to control and it's, are there any initiatives or programs in that com binding the drug problem and supporting effective communities and asking us down? well, you know, i mean people try to understand, you know, is very traditional and muslim believing and practicing society for one thing. a drugs been drug production by and large are looked down upon and you know it, and it kind of drugs and it is prohibited by, by religion. so there's one reason, but also at the bottom it says a bid declared um you know this prohibition in april of 2022. it has been an 85 to 90 percent effective for the time be for the long run. as we know from

experius of 222002000 run drug production, we're rebound because there are very powerful domestic and international reasons that would make people to produce a, you know, drugs and make them available to the global market. we cannot do it into the usual ways, as i said, a drug reduction or bad on drugs will have to be accompanied by major serious status, this stomach, and structural reforms within and outside of our status. now, how has the band on opium production affected the dynamics of power and control within afghanistan, particularly in relation to the taliban? many people have said that, in fact, you know, uh, this may, moran found the valley behind that, you know, the ban on drugs could actually hurt tiny button power and control and in the long

run. because as i said, a drugs are essentially produced by in the, in the south and south western part of afghanistan. and these are actually the bases for the cali bunk power and control photos. and if they in the world did not provide legitimate, viable means of livelihood for about half of the lower part of the day after and population. this is bound to effect in the people's attitudes dried and defended. brian: and if you deprive the photograph means of lively, or if they are hungry as starve to death, they will do whatever is necessary including opposition and um, the position to the started button. and this is exactly what happened in the year 200-2001. when the bond ben opium production and united states rewarded bill clinton, awarded decided by an, you know, $4050000000.00 deb. but as soon now rebounded because other

conditions were rise. for drug production, my marketing and, and use and we have to deal with all of their said once. and professor, what strategies or measures are being implemented to prevent the resurgence of opium production in afghanistan and address the actual root causes of the drug problem. unfortunately, well, as i said, you know, the word community that discount in the general guys were for decades are about 2000 run to 2017. supposedly it's spent about $8000000.00 plus daughters to quote combat drugs. but they effort, right? superficial, insincere, false friend, propaganda, as i said, why it was, you know, claiming that it is fighting drug production. in fact, they were working with drug stores because documentation forces relied on

cooperation from the drug store in afghanistan, for protection, control, espionage, and so forth. so, you know, these under these conditions are attack or drug production would continue just banning, you know, a drug production. i am making get illegal intimidating people, a harassing or imprisoning certain people will just be a bandage on this major, suspend making structure. probably the problems, the reasons are much, much deeper. and they have to do with this. i said, you know, a drought of poverty, lack of good people in afghanistan, mac drinking water. what it's now, you know, people are moving in these provinces then in the capital and they are relocating because they don't even have the drinking water bottle on, you know, a water for agriculture. so you know, they would have to be major. yeah. systemic structure of

a strategic comprehensively formed in the country. uh, you know, not just making drug production illegals if the drug production is to be successful . otherwise, you know, one or 2 years later, when the supplies are sold and when the conditions get worse. and when social economic, political cause or conditions in the country, human rights condition, utility rates enough that is that there would be, i'm afraid, a major reaction. even major street quiet in getting blood should industries have us down as bad because of drugs. and if we solve all of the other problems, what about the 4000000 drug addicts in afghanistan right now? you know, the government is not able to actually deal with these people to try to rehabilitate them in the conditions which forced these people to utilize drugs and not being

rectified. thank you so much, professors the high for all your time today. while at 1st glance, it seems like the taliban was successful and the war on drugs. but the reality is not that simple. this span is not a counter narcotics victory will overall have a negative economic in humanitarian consequences that will potentially lead to a refugee crisis. this fan also comes at a time when the economy is so weak that displaced opium, poppy, farmers, and workers had no viable alternative sources income. there is no development strategy and no longevity strategy. so after the spam. now what becomes a big question for asking citizens who suddenly find themselves without any income to support their families. of opium cultivation cannot be resolved by merely destroying crops as it will only escalate vulnerabilities and without real alternatives and economic stability. it is likely that opium cultivation and

production will continue to expand as the drug market has a way to find its way back to equilibrium. i'm christy. i thanks for watching. and we'll see you right back here next time on the cost of everything. the in the year of 1950 for the united states of america engaged in warfare against the people of vietnam. the white house supported the corrupt public governments of southern vietnam. 1965 americans began their invasion following the aim to defeat the forces of vietnamese patriots. defend the gun was confident that the

victory would be on the american side, due to its military superiority. however, the enemies during this war into total hail for the occupants. unable to cope with the guerrillas, the american army started blanket bombing alongside using chemical weapons and naples, which burned all alive. the village of my lay, where he 1969 american soldiers killed 504 civilians, including 210 children, became a tragic symbol of this war. all involved during the whole period of this conflict, the usa dropped on vietnam more than $6000000.00 tons of bonds, which is 2 and a half times as much as on germany during the 2nd world war of the 1973. the american army, under the pressure of the rebels, withdrew from vietnam, and only 2 years later did the puppet regime. and so i got involved. however,

the vietnamese paid a high price for their freedom. more than 1000000 vietnamese people became the victims of america in the dressers, the solutions may be able to turn to atrocities. in other countries, the united states of america is different. wherever people long to be free. they will find a friend in the united states. the,

to the other, the goals and the very, very easy to sort of city encourage all you look at me for the in service of each skid 18 color revolutions is one among set full means to reach the goal of conquering foreign lands and bringing them onto the help of us, the western economic interest people decided to, to everybody, the democrats. yeah. new training portal aspect. so know the best se lotus of the by way. i mean, he can on the final goal of these theme or of allusions is to ensure that there are no independent players in the world anymore. the, the

was the russian 5 minutes. so since ticket counts, thoughts in most go said again, love robust just as a need for international guarantees. the bikes, the grain deals to be restored. in us, there is not a single guarantee. in this message, there are only promises as soon as there are guarantees with a specific result. the full implementation of this package will resume the next day, minutes or 2 in double and follows a series of takeovers inform a french calling. they do not forget to assume the officials open, the staging of the blocks policy and the confidence has failed. and i know the crew heads african nations, new jersey strips, the french ambassador of diplomatic immunity, and repulsively gives power as his troops full days to leave the.