DUSHANBE, January 13, 2009 Asia-Plus  -- In a report released at a press conference in Dushanbe, Tajik Drug Control Agency (DCA) chief Rustam Nazarov noted on January 12 that according to data provided by the Afghan counternarcotics service, 7,700 tons of raw opium were produced in Afghanistan last year, which is 500 tons fewer than in 2007.

He noted that the results of survey conducted by the DCA last year showed that increase in narcotics production was to be observed in the Afghan provinces that were not controlled by the central government.

“The provinces uncontrolled by the central government now produce some 80 percent of Afghan narcotics,” said the Tajik drug control chief, “18 provinces in Afghanistan have been announced narcotics-free; thee of these provinces – Takhor, Balkh and Kunduz - border Tajikistan.”  He added that production of narcotics in Afghan Badakhshan that also borders Tajikistan had decreased considerably.

In the meantime, the DCA chief noted that production of cannabis had increased in Afghanistan.  According to him, it is still premature to say about any fundamental improvement in the fight against narcotics production in Afghanistan.