Opium

A poppy farmer stands in front of a poppy plant and talks with a mic in his hand.

Could decriminalization of Mexico’s poppy farms reduce drug-cartel violence?

November 28, 2018Conflict & Justice

Decriminalization of the poppy trade in Mexico’s Guerrero state may alleviate the catastrophic violence related to drug cartels vying for territory. But some say the plan does not have the best interests of poppy growers at heart.

Opium Lit

March 25, 2018Arts, Culture & Media

Iran’s drug use doubles in six years

June 25, 2017Conflict

Myanmar’s opium fields grow even as its government calls for complete eradication

April 30, 2015Conflict

Three addicts preparing to smoke heroin under a bridge in Kabul’s Pol-e Sokhta neighborhood.

There’s almost no help for Afghanistan’s 1.6 million drug addicts

December 4, 2014Health

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s tragic death is an ominous sign of heroin’s expanding reach

February 4, 2014Conflict & Justice

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death reminds us of the word “overdose.” But the reason there are overdoses is because there’s ample supply.

PRI’s ‘The World’: Mexico’s War

August 15, 2013

An audio slideshow about Mexico’s war on heroin, and the efforts of local and national entities to eradicate it.

Thai Authorities Alarmed By Drug Surge in Golden Triangle

August 15, 2013Business, Economics and Jobs

There’s been a surge of drug trafficking in the Golden Triangle. Thai police say Burma’s political reforms may be indirectly resulting in increased trafficking in the border areas of Burma, Thailand and Laos.

FRONTLINE: Opium Brides in Afghanistan

August 15, 2013Lifestyle & Belief

Marco Werman talks with Reporter Najibullah Quraishi of our partner program FRONTLINE about his report on the growing problem in Afghanistan of young girls who are kidnapped or traded to drug smugglers when opium farmers cannot meet their debts.

How an Afghan Methadone Clinic is Fighting to Counter HIV

August 15, 2013Conflict & Justice

HIV is spreading among Afghanistan’s injection drug users, and a methadone clinic was recently opened in Kabul to help the problem.