Afghan Heroin Global Threat
Afghanistan remains by far the largest source of the global illicit trade in opium and heroin according to the United Nations.
The latest report estimates the opium and heroin trade is $US 68,000 million per year larger than many countries GDP.
Transnational organized crime groups are behind the $US 68 billion heroin trade.
The report estimates some 16.5 million people use opiates worldwide every year.
Afghan heroin has been spreading to consumer markets in East Asia.
The UN estimates 120 tons of Afghan heroin reached Asia in 2009.
(Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime press release 29 July 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Much of this Afghan heroin coming through Asia will be targeted at Australian drug users.
Because of Australia’s high demand for illicit drugs we become a target for these drugs.
Australia needs to reduce the substantial demand for heroin to remove the transnational criminal activity.
As the latest Australian Crime Commission report reveals the availability of heroin in Australia will continue to increase particularly in capital cities.
Identified illicit drug users should be directed into court supervised drug rehabilitation that gets users off drugs quickly and permanently.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
29/2011
