Pubdate: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 Source: Pueblo Chieftain (CO) Copyright: 2002 The Star-Journal Publishing Corp. Contact: http://www.chieftain.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1613 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) AFGHAN OPIUM TRADE THRIVES UNITED NATIONS (AP) - With Afghan opium production on the rise, the U.N.'s top representative in Afghanistan says it will take up to 10 years to destroy the country's narcotics industry. The dire prediction, delivered by Lakhdar Brahimi on Wednesday, followed a report last week by the U.N. drug control agency citing Afghanistan as the world's largest opium poppy producer. The report said growers and sellers had taken advantage of a power vacuum during the U.S.-led war, and the collapse of the Taliban regime, to kick-start opium production after a two-year lull. "Unfortunately, a significant increase in opium production is forseen this year," Brahimi told the Security Council. "Expectations are that it will take the best part of a decade before opium production is eradicated as strengthened legal and security measures and the creation of alternative livelihoods become more effective realities," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager