Securitization of Drug Consumption in Afghanistan: From Health Challenges to National Security Threats
Keywords: Drug resistance, Drug trafficking and Counterfeiting, Government oversight, Health security, Pharmaceutical crisis
Aziz Ahmad Fazli
Abstract
In today’s world, the concept of security is no longer confined to war or
military borders; emerging threats such as poverty, disease, and the misuse of
medication can also profoundly affect the health and well-being of societies.
In Afghanistan, challenges related to pharmaceutical management and the
widespread practice of self-medication have transformed drug consumption from a
purely medical issue into a critical matter of public health and social
stability. The significance of this study lies in its application of the
Copenhagen School’s securitization approach,
which analyzes drug consumption not only from a medical perspective but also as
a social phenomenon linked to security. The central research question is: How
can irresponsible drug use in Afghanistan produce consequences beyond the
health sector and impact society as a whole? The
research hypothesis posits that weak regulatory oversight and the absence of a
clear pharmaceutical strategy have resulted in serious challenges to public
health and societal trust. A qualitative-analytical method was employed, with
data collected from library sources, reports of the Ministry of Public Health,
the World Health Organization, and semi-structured interviews with experts, and
analyzed through content analysis. The theoretical framework is grounded in the
Copenhagen School’s securitization theory, which demonstrates how threats are
constructed through discourse and decision-making by social and political
elites. Findings indicate that
deficiencies in pharmaceutical policy and oversight can undermine public
health, social trust, and institutional performance. The study concludes that
mitigating the negative consequences of improper drug use in Afghanistan
requires a national strategy, transparency in drug management, and public
education, thereby shifting the issue from a state of emergency to systematic
and sustainable policymaking.
