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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Report to show Afghan opium rise | Report to show Afghan opium rise |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The amount of opium produced in Afghanistan has broken records again, official figures are due to reveal. | The amount of opium produced in Afghanistan has broken records again, official figures are due to reveal. |
| Helmand province, where UK troops are based, is expected to be named as the world's largest drug-producing area, surpassing entire countries. | Helmand province, where UK troops are based, is expected to be named as the world's largest drug-producing area, surpassing entire countries. |
| The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is publishing its annual opium survey later on Monday (1500GMT). | The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is publishing its annual opium survey later on Monday (1500GMT). |
| It is expected to reveal a huge increase in the poppy crop which provides the raw material for heroin. | It is expected to reveal a huge increase in the poppy crop which provides the raw material for heroin. |
| Millions of pounds of aid money has been allocated for anti-drugs efforts in the war-torn country. | Millions of pounds of aid money has been allocated for anti-drugs efforts in the war-torn country. |
| Drugs failure | Drugs failure |
| However the UN report paints a dismal picture of the efforts led by the British government to tackle the problem. | However the UN report paints a dismal picture of the efforts led by the British government to tackle the problem. |
| This year we must change the strategy, how to fight, how to work in Helmand Gen Khodaidad, Afghan anti-drugs minister Inside Afghan opium market | |
| Helmand province, where UK forces are battling the Taleban, is thought to have increased production by between a third and a half on last year. | Helmand province, where UK forces are battling the Taleban, is thought to have increased production by between a third and a half on last year. |
| Gen Khodaidad, Afghanistan's acting minister of counter narcotics, said: "Unfortunately we have failed, in security we have failed and in drug issue we have failed, we have not done a good job in Helmand. | |
| "This year we must change the strategy, how to fight, how to work in Helmand to improve the security and tackle the poppy in Helmand province." | "This year we must change the strategy, how to fight, how to work in Helmand to improve the security and tackle the poppy in Helmand province." |
| Some provinces in the north are thought to have seen a drop in poppy harvests but the overall statistics will most likely show an increase across the country. | Some provinces in the north are thought to have seen a drop in poppy harvests but the overall statistics will most likely show an increase across the country. |
| The fighting and insecurity in southern Afghanistan is blamed for the increase, along with a failing justice system unable to prosecute drug barons and corrupt government officials. | The fighting and insecurity in southern Afghanistan is blamed for the increase, along with a failing justice system unable to prosecute drug barons and corrupt government officials. |
| The lack of incentives for farmers to grow anything else has also been identified as a factor. | The lack of incentives for farmers to grow anything else has also been identified as a factor. |