In its Afghan Opium Survey 2009 (summary findings) released in Kabul on 2 September 2009, UNODC reports that "the bottom is starting to fall out of the Afghan opium market". Opium poppy cultivation is down by 22 per cent, opium production is down by 10 per cent and prices are at a 10-year low. The number of poppy-free provinces has increased from 18 to 20, and more drugs are being seized thanks to more robust counter-narcotics operations by Afghan and NATO forces. "At a time of pessimism about the situation in Afghanistan, these results are a welcome piece of good news and demonstrate that progress is possible", said UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa.
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