ABSTRACT
In 2013 potential opium production was estimated at 6883 tons, roughly the same as it was from 2008 to 2011. Opium production in Afghanistan still accounts for 80% of the global opium production estimated at 5500 tons, translating to total production of 560 tons, which has been consistent for the last several years (UNODC, 2014). e use of synthetic opioids has become increasingly popular in the United States, and black market prices for this drug have risen. e increases may explain why ocials of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have noted that prescription opioid abusers are switching to heroin, which is cheaper than the prescription drug and easier to obtain. Ironically, the exact opposite is being observed in many parts of Europe.
