1 February 2026 Author: Alijan Rahimi

United Nations: Tablet Drug Use Is Rising Among Afghan Youth

United Nations: Tablet Drug Use Is Rising Among Afghan YouthPhoto: less

1 min read

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its latest assessment, has stated that drug consumption patterns in Afghanistan remain dominated by traditional substances.

According to the report, cannabis is the most commonly used drug among Afghan men at 47 percent, followed by opium at 19 percent, tablet drugs at 11 percent, and methamphetamine (crystal meth) at seven percent.

The report, which is part of the “National Drug Use Survey in Afghanistan,” shows that while poppy cultivation has relatively declined, the use of synthetic drugs and the misuse of opioid medications are on the rise.

The United Nations emphasizes that poverty, unemployment, mental health challenges, and limited access to treatment services are among the main drivers of addiction in the country. Rising drug use among young people—particularly the consumption of tablet drugs—has become a growing concern.