This study examines Afghanistan's opium economy in order to understand its dynamics, the reasons for its success, its beneficiaries and victims, and the problems it has caused domestically and abroad. The purpose of the study is to assist the country and the international community in fulfilling the objectives of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (1998) to eliminate illicit drugs. It is hoped that this publication will raise public awareness about an issue that deserves world attention.