2014年高考英语阅读理解素材：13 阿富汗罂粟种植量创新高素材 .docVIP

阿富汗罂粟种植量创新高 Afghan opium cultivation has reached a record level, with more than 200,000 hectares planted with the poppy for the first time, the United Nations says. [来源:Zxxk.Com][来源:学科网]联合国称，阿富汗鸦片的种植量已创下新记录，首次有20万多公顷的土地被种上罂粟。[来源:学科网ZXXK] ? [来源:学_科_网Z_X_X_K]The UNODC report said the harvest was 36% up on last year, and if fully realised would outstrip global demand. ? Most of the rise was in Helmand province, where British troops are preparing to withdraw. ? One of the main reasons the UK sent troops to Helmand was to cut opium production. ?[来源:Zxxk.Com] The head of the UN office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Kabul, Jean-Luc Lemahieu, said that production was likely to rise again next year, amid uncertainty over the withdrawal of most foreign troops and the presidential election.? ? He said that the illegal economy was taking over in importance from legitimate business, and that prices remained high since there was a ready availability of cash in Afghanistan because of aid. ? As long as we think that we can have short-term, fast solutions for the counter-narcotics, we are continued to be doomed to fail, he added. ? Mr Lemahieu said there had been some recent successes, including the arrest of leading figures in the drugs industry, but it could take 10-15 years to deal with Afghanistans opium crisis, even if policies improved.