UK memos claim drug-taking among Afghan police

Drug abuse and high attrition rates among the Afghan police mean it will take many years to create a strong force, according to internal British government memos reported by the warned, The Independent on Sunday said.

The Afghan National Police (ANP) is being trained by Western forces and strengthening it is a main aim in the war against Taliban insurgents. But a series of British Foreign Ministry papers said attrition rates among officers in Helmand Province, including losses caused by death, desertion and dismissal, were as high as 60 percent while half the latest group of recruits had tested positive for narcotics, the Independent said. (Reuters)