Kabul – ICOS, the leading international drug policy think tank, is expanding its operations in Afghanistan following the release of the preliminary results of the Feasibility Study on Opium Licensing.

“Our initial findings have made it clear that licensing is a viable option. There is a green light to go forward with the process” said Emmanuel Reinert, executive director of ICOS. “We are expanding our work in Afghanistan and developing a comprehensive plan for the implementation of an opium licensing system in Afghanistan.”

The Feasibility Study on Opium Licensing for Morphine and Other Essential Medicines examined the possibility of licensing Afghan opium for the production of pain killers. The results of the study show that such a scheme could provide Afghanistan with a road-map to stability, necessary to overcome the country’s drug crisis. Morphine and codeine, derived from opium, are much needed to meet the global shortage for pain relief medicines.

The Afghan government has welcomed the Council’s Study, and Reinert expressed thanks to the government for their interest in the report. The Council also welcomed the government’s remarks underlining the need for full consideration of all questions arising from opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, and is developing a comprehensive licensing scheme to address these issues.

Reinert reiterated the Council’s resolve to assist Afghanistan in finding a pragmatic and effective solution to the opium problem.

The think tank has launched work on a full-scale implementation plan for a licensing system to produce morphine and codeine. This will include research into the development of an “Afghan Brand Medicine”. Morphine and codeine produced under this special brand will support Afghan development and while used to meet the global pain crisis. There is currently a severe shortage of pain medicines in the world, particularly in developing countries.