State Department watchdog criticizes US anti-drug efforts in Afghanistan

Watchdog faults US anti-drug effort in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — The State Department’s internal watchdog is criticizing the agency’s nearly $2 billion counter-narcotics effort in Afghanistan for poor oversight and lack of a long-term strategy.

In a report to be released Wednesday, the department’s inspector general says the Afghan-based program is hampered by too few personnel and rampant corruption among Afghan officials. The report also says U.S. embassies in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not adequately coordinating the program’s activities.

The 69-page review recommends that the State Department set out clear guidelines for measuring success, boost staffing and improve interagency cooperation. Afghanistan is the world’s leading producer of opium poppy and extremists use drug proceeds to finance their fight against U.S. and foreign troops.