A new bipartisan report from the Senate was released Tuesday that aims to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a "narco-state,"
The Hill reported.
As co-chairmen of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley issued the report. They said it was needed to help Congress coordinate with the administration on the issue.
"The Afghan drug trade funds the Taliban, fuels corruption, and creates major public health challenges," Feinstein said Tuesday, according to The Hill. "Afghanistan could become a narco-state without an effective, comprehensive and coordinated counternarcotics strategy, coupled with unprecedented levels of international cooperation. If we don't act, Afghanistan's drug trade could undermine hard-won gains and U.S. investments and threaten the safety of the citizens of Afghanistan and neighboring countries."
Grassley said, "Our report outlines the critical need for the Obama administration to put plans in place now to support continuing counternarcotics efforts without the current level of security provided by the United States."
He added, "The administration should provide Congress with a comprehensive, multi-agency, workable strategy before any more gains made over the past 13 years are lost."
Their report also advocated for other countries to help Afghanistan to develop and transition to other industries that are legal.
Afghan farmers currently grow large amounts of poppy which are used in the production of opiates such as heroin, The Hill reported.
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