Afghan opium crop plummets after Taliban ban, UN survey finds

Due to a Taliban ban on opium farming in Afghanistan, the country's opium production has plummeted, with a significant decrease in cultivation areas and opium output. The UN attributes this decline to most farmers adhering to the ban, despite facing economic challenges. However, while opium farming has decreased, trafficking of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine has risen in Afghanistan, with organized crime groups favoring these substances due to ease of production and resilience to climate conditions.