The Tehran Times recently conducted an exclusive interview with Deputy Secretary General of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters Alireza Jazini.

Jazini says the amount of money given to Iran in its campaign against drugs originated from Afghanistan is “extremely low”.


Following is the full text of interview:

Q: Would you please explain about the role of Iran in campaigning against the illicit drug trafficking en route to Europe and eventually to the United States?

A: Because Iran shares a massive frontier with Afghanistan, the leading opium producing country in the world, it has always suffered the highest rate of drug related fatalities and financial losses.
Ever since 1979, more than 3,700 Iranian security forces have lost their lives, and another 11,000 lost their body parts in the country's combat against narcotics. These figures show Iran’s dedication to the international community in the halt of illicit drug trafficking.
Definitely, Iran’s remarkable efforts in anti-drug campaign have reduced the amount of drug imported to Western countries. Iran’s efforts in this regard have been recognized by the international communitiy, although the Western countries have yet to show their serious contribution to tackling the problem.


Q: How do you evaluate the cooperation of EU and the United Nations on combating illegal drugs?

A: The EU member states and the mini-Dublin have offered their aids through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to Iran in its anti-drug measures. These countries have mostly focused on drug demand reduction measures and the social vulnerability arising from drug abuse. Examples of such measures are the establishment of short-lived rehabilitation centers for the treatment of addicts and training sniffer dogs for detecting and apprehending drugs.


Every year, the deputy of UNODC accompanied by the ambassadors of mini-Dublin (EU) in Tehran closely follows up the new efforts carried out by Iran. They assess the stumbling blocks on promoting anti-drug fighting. In their numerous visits to Iran, they always get updated on the latest anti-drug strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran on drug reduction demand. They also pursue vulnerability and the treatment of drug addicts.

But, unfortunately, the smuggling of narcotic drugs and its tragic consequences, which is rooted in Afghanistan and destined towards Iran has increased dramatically.

We have announced several times before in the world forums that the international fund allocated to the Islamic Republic of Iran as far as casualties and financial burden are concerned is extremely low.

Q: What are the main problems and obstacles posing anti-drug fighting?

A: The drug problem is a complicated phenomenon which has many dimensions in the world today. Therefore, fighting such scourge requires an international determination. This irreversible drive should be common responsibility among all countries and international community. As we know, cultivation and production of narcotic drugs in recent years in Afghanistan has dramatically increased. Not only the allied forces led by the United States of America have not been able to stamp out the poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the drug production in the country has undergone a 40-fold increase since the U.S.-led invasion of the country in 2001.

My statement is exactly based on the reports released by the United Nations showing explicitly that the only way left to combat illicit drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the world and particularly in Afghanistan is through the irreversible drive of international community.

Q: How do you analyze trilateral cooperation between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the fight against illicit drug trafficking?

A: The formation of trilateral cooperation among Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan with the cooperation of UNODC was established in 2007 to enhance the capability of these countries to combat illicit drug trafficking. The aim of the cooperation is to improve border security management in order to exchange information rapidly, to conduct simultaneous joint operations and finally to increase drug seizures in common border areas.

The highest achievement of the cooperation is the establishment of a joint planning center (JPC), a regional institution, in Tehran to coordinate the border operations between the three Asian countries. It has also helped the countries to come up with coordinated operations along their common borders against the drug traffickers.
This regional institution has liaison officers from the three countries who exchange information and direct operations to bust drug smugglers. The establishment of bureau of liaison officers on border areas at specific locations of the three countries is meant to facilitate the trilateral commutations. The bureau controls the movements of drug traffickers and eventually annihilates them through joint operations.

In the framework of trilateral cooperation, so far, there have been seven meetings at ministerial level, 11 at high ranking officials on anti-drug fighting. There have also been four meetings on exchanging special information on war on drugs.

Q: What are Iran’s solutions for eradicating drugs in Afghanistan and replacing poppy cultivation with other cash crops?

A: Successful fight against cultivation, production and trafficking of illicit drugs requires coordinated programs not to mention taking advantage of our previous experiences. Strengthening the regional cooperation, promoting international determination among the three nations with consideration of their common responsibilities, and stepping up efforts for establishing a powerful central government in Afghanistan are the major effective factors in this framework.
The replacement of poppy cultivation with other cash crops is feasible in Afghanistan but only through setting the stage for stronger economy. In addition to that introducing other options that pave the way for decisive change in the lives of Afghan farmers should be considered.

Q: What are the responsibilities of NGOs in campaign against drug abuse?

A: The Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) active participation in the society has met challenges like executive limitations of bureaucratic governmental organizations and encouragement of people to cope with social ills, particularly addiction.

Today Iran has a total of 5,233 active treatment centers throughout the country, out of which 4,647 centers (89 percent) are run by non-governmental organizations.


***** Highlight 1
The replacement of poppy cultivation with other cash crops is feasible in Afghanistan but only through setting the stage for economic, welfare, recreational, social, educational and introducing other options could pave the way for decisive change in the lives of Afghan farmers.


**** Highlight 2

The formation of trilateral cooperation among Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan with the cooperation of UNODC was established in 2007 to enhance the capability of these countries to combat illicit drug trafficking. The aim of the cooperation is to improve border security management in order to exchange information rapidly, to conduct simultaneous joint operations and finally to increase drug seizures in common border areas.

SH
*** Caption:

Poppy cultivation in Afghanistan is still one of the main source of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the world