Drug Use Patterns in Afghanistan: Women Mostly Start with Opium, Men with Cannabis

Photo: UNAMA

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its latest report, has stated that the analysis of drug use patterns in Afghanistan shows that men often begin using drugs at younger ages and with cannabis, while women mostly start with opium.

This report, published today Thursday (26 June), examines public drug use sites, usage patterns, access methods, and available treatment services, and is based on studies conducted in 2022 and 2023.

According to the findings, opium is the most commonly used drug among female users in Afghanistan, followed by methamphetamine, heroin, and sedatives, respectively. In contrast, cannabis use among women is reported to be “very low.”

The UNODC also reported the presence of more than 2,670 women at drug use gathering sites across the country, accounting for about 10 percent of all users in those places. These sites, which in 2022 numbered 651 across 32 provinces, are places where group drug use, including high-risk injection, is common.

According to the report, 53 percent of male participants and only 29 percent of female participants had previously received treatment for substance use disorders.

The report states that factors such as a lack of services, absence of scientific facilities, poor nutrition in treatment centers, financial difficulties, and fear of stigma are among the main obstacles to accessing treatment. Additionally, many of these individuals live in difficult socio-economic conditions; half are illiterate, some are divorced, separated, or homeless.

This comes as the Taliban, after returning to power, have declared the production, use, purchase, and sale of drugs illegal and have launched campaigns to collect addicts from the streets. The group claims that those collected are being placed under treatment.