§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place to combat the drugs trade in Afghanistan. [157022]
Mr. RummellAs lead nation for counter-narcotics activity in Afghanistan, the UK supports the Afghan National Drug Control Strategy. which was adopted by President Karzai in May 2003. The strategy proposes activities in four key areas: improved drugs law enforcement; alternative livelihoods for poppy farmers; capacity building for Afghan drugs institutions; and public awareness campaigns/treatment programmes to help reduce demand. The UK has committed £70 million over three years and additional personnel for the British Embassy in Kabul to drive forward implementation of the strategy.
On 8/9 February 2004 the UK co-hosted with the Afghan Government and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime an International Counter Narcotics Conference on Afghanistan in Kabul. Over 300 delegates attended from Afghanistan, partner countries and international organisations. The conference demonstrated the firm resolve of the Afghan Government and the international community to tackle the drugs problem in Afghanistan. It agreed action plans for future work in each of the key areas.
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