Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2001
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2001 The New York Times Company
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Section: World Briefing: Asia
Author: Christopher S. Wren

AFGHANISTAN: OPIUM CROP DROPS

Severe drought conditions caused opium production to plummet 29 percent 
last year, the United Nations Drug Control Program reported. But it also 
said the number of Afghan districts growing the opiate continued to rise, 
by 59 percent over the last three years, despite the ruling Taliban's 
declared ban on opium cultivation. The ravages of civil war and the lure of 
illicit profits have driven Afghan farmers to give up traditional crops in 
favor of opium poppies.

Christopher S. Wren (NYT)
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