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UN Says Opium Poppy Growth Sends 'Alarm Signal'

November 20, 2012

by RFE/RL

The United Nations says the increase in this year's opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan sends a "serious alarm signal."

In its annual survey released on November 20, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said the area under cultivation has increased by 18 percent despite tough government eradication efforts.

Yury Fedotov, the executive director of UNODC, says high opium prices have led to the increase.

He called for "a sustained effort by the Afghan government and international stakeholders to address illicit cultivation with a balanced approach between development and law enforcement measures."

Despite the increased area of cultivation, the UNODC says estimated opium production in the country actually fell 36 percent because of a blight on the crop and bad weather.

Afghanistan produces about 90 percent of the world's opium.

With reporting by AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/un-opium-popppy-increase-alarm-signal/24776486.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.