Building the Capacity of Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics

Afghanistan is the world’s largest opium producer, with 63 percent of global cultivation and 82 percent of global production of raw opium. Opium poppy cultivation and production thrives in an environment where legitimate state structures are weak, security is poor and alternative licit livelihoods are either limited or unable to support household income requirements. The opium poppy value chain in turn challenges legitimate state structures, crowds out licit economic endeavors, and provides significant financial support to insurgent and criminal activities.

The Ministry of Counter Narcotics was established in early 2005 and is the foremost organizational entity charged with leading counter narcotics affairs within the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The MCN is mandated to develop policies, provide strategic oversight and coordinate counter narcotics responses with other Afghan Government ministries and other partners. Lack of capacity within Afghan government specially Ministry of Counter Narcotics, poverty, corruption, and access to alternative livelihood opportunities that provide an equal or greater profit than poppy cultivation are all contributors to Afghan drug problem. A drug-free future for Afghanistan is dependent mainly on MCN’s capability. Building the capacity of Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics to implement organizational policies, develop and implement innovative and sustainable projects is critical to advancing Afghan Government Counter Narcotics efforts.

With funding from U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, OFSD implemented Building the Capacity of Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics with the goal of increasing MCN’s self-sufficiency and professionalism by focusing on the fifteen directorates at the MCN headquarter in Kabul. The project provided Information and Technology (IT) skills at the MCN in order to strengthen recordkeeping, accountability and general efficiency across directorates. The project also improved the English language skills of MCN Tashkiel employees to facilitate improve communication with international donors and partners.