DRUGS WARNING ON AFGHANISTAN

The Government was tonight warned of concern over growth of the drugs
trade in Afghanistan since the Taliban was toppled.

During debate on the situation in the country, the Bishop of
Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson, said there was now an
increasing problem of drug dependence and "an alarming growth in the
power of the drug barons".

He added: "Around 4% of the Afghan population are habitual users of
heroin and opium production amounts to 50% of gross domestic product.

"The drugs trade is not only undermining Afghanistan as a nation. It
seems also to be funding international terrorism."

It was vital for the international community to help the Afghan
government's campaign to reduce production of drugs in their country.

Foreign Office Minister Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean said that in
Afghanistan the international community was trying to create a more
lawful environment in which it would be more difficult for drug operators.

Britain was investing ?70 million worth of help to support the Afghan
national anti-drug strategy, she added.