Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium and heroin. This book explores the devastating impact that the drugs trade has had on the Afghan people. Author David Macdonald has worked as a drugs advisor to the UN. Based on his extensive experience, this book breaks down the myths surrounding the cultivation and consumption of drugs, providing a detailed analysis of the history of drug use within the country. He examines the impact of over 25 years of continuous conflict, and shows how poverty and instability has led to an increase in drugs consumption. He also considers the recent rise in the use of pharmaceutical drugs, resulting in dangerous chemical cocktails and analyses the effect of Afghanistan's drug trade on neighbouring countries.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
'Afghanistan is seen as a major drug producer, but its own people are becoming the victims. ... David Macdonald not only explores [the reasons for this] but also tells an addictive tale that is difficult to resist.' --Shirazuddin Siddiqi, BBC
'This stunning book provides a first hand account of the Afghan drug problem. David Macdonald has written the definitive text on drugs in Afghanistan.' --Professor Gerry Stimson, Executive Director, International Harm Reduction Association
'David Macdonald tells a story about the diversity of drug use in Afghanistan that no one has ever told before.' --Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director, Drug Policy Alliance, New York
About the Author
David Macdonald is a sociologist who has specialised in drug control for over 20 years. Since 1999 he worked as the demand reduction advisor for the UN drugs control programme in Afghanistan with UNODC and also with the Ministry of Counter Narcotics in Kabul.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I ordered "Scorpion Tales" after seeing an advertisement for it in an academic catalogue. The book has a catchy title and I thought it might help me with my own research on drug issues. I received a complimentary copy and put in on the shelf. It was the middle of the semester and I had little free time and stacks of other books and articles to read.
One weekend, out of curiosity, I decided to browse the book. I was instantly hooked. I read it in two days. The author, David Macdonald, is an experienced sociologist and a fine story teller. General readers and academic specialists will find much of value in the book, especially in terms of drug issues and the history and culture of Afghanistan. Few other non-fiction books have provided such an earthy, fine-grained account of the human drama of drug use and abuse. I also learned much about the conflictive environment and history within which Afghans struggle to cope with poverty and suffering by cultivating, trading or consuming a wide variety of intoxicating substances.
Among the book's many virtues, I thought the "scorpion tales" motif/metaphor was very well-chosen. (I won't give away the punch line of the story, but suffice it to say that Afghanistan drug folklore is itself mind-bending). I also appreciated the way the author discusses many different drugs (not just opium and heroin) without reifying distinctions between legal, illegal, semi-legal, etc. The treatment of new emerging drug trends, involving some remarkable substances, is another contribution. Additionally, the book provides an even-handed discussion of policy dilemmas and problems (including U.S. responsibility for many of Afghanistan's troubles).
Scorpion Tales deserves a wide audience.
Howard Campbell, Ph.D.
El Paso, Texas (USA)
One weekend, out of curiosity, I decided to browse the book. I was instantly hooked. I read it in two days. The author, David Macdonald, is an experienced sociologist and a fine story teller. General readers and academic specialists will find much of value in the book, especially in terms of drug issues and the history and culture of Afghanistan. Few other non-fiction books have provided such an earthy, fine-grained account of the human drama of drug use and abuse. I also learned much about the conflictive environment and history within which Afghans struggle to cope with poverty and suffering by cultivating, trading or consuming a wide variety of intoxicating substances.
Among the book's many virtues, I thought the "scorpion tales" motif/metaphor was very well-chosen. (I won't give away the punch line of the story, but suffice it to say that Afghanistan drug folklore is itself mind-bending). I also appreciated the way the author discusses many different drugs (not just opium and heroin) without reifying distinctions between legal, illegal, semi-legal, etc. The treatment of new emerging drug trends, involving some remarkable substances, is another contribution. Additionally, the book provides an even-handed discussion of policy dilemmas and problems (including U.S. responsibility for many of Afghanistan's troubles).
Scorpion Tales deserves a wide audience.
Howard Campbell, Ph.D.
El Paso, Texas (USA)
Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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scorpion tales, hashish production, problem drug use, opium economy, heroin factories, opium cultivation, herbal cannabis, opium prices, heroin laboratories, poppy cultivation, drug treatment centre, chronic mental health problems, heroin processing, mujahideen groups, hashish users, opium industry, opium products, opium gum, cannabis cultivation, global drug trade, opium farmers, morphine base, opium traders, opium users, poppy straw Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
President Karzai, Northern Alliance, New York, British India, Human Rights Watch, Supreme Court, World Drug Report, Loya Jirga, Ministry of Public Health, Rashid Dostum, Saudi Arabia, Mullah Omar, Hezb-i Islami, Mullah Akhundzada, Ahmed Rashid, Darra Adamkhel, Eli Lilly, Hoffman-La Roche, Ismail Khan, Kabul Times, Nadir Shah, Operation Enduring Freedom, Robin Hood, Soviet Union, State Department New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
scorpion tales, hashish production, problem drug use, opium economy, heroin factories, opium cultivation, herbal cannabis, opium prices, heroin laboratories, poppy cultivation, drug treatment centre, chronic mental health problems, heroin processing, mujahideen groups, hashish users, opium industry, opium products, opium gum, cannabis cultivation, global drug trade, opium farmers, morphine base, opium traders, opium users, poppy straw Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
President Karzai, Northern Alliance, New York, British India, Human Rights Watch, Supreme Court, World Drug Report, Loya Jirga, Ministry of Public Health, Rashid Dostum, Saudi Arabia, Mullah Omar, Hezb-i Islami, Mullah Akhundzada, Ahmed Rashid, Darra Adamkhel, Eli Lilly, Hoffman-La Roche, Ismail Khan, Kabul Times, Nadir Shah, Operation Enduring Freedom, Robin Hood, Soviet Union, State Department New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Surprise Me!
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