( CNN Student News ) -- Record the CNN Special Investigations Unit Classroom Edition : Narco State : The Poppy Jihad when it airs commercial-free on Monday , January 7 , from approximately 4:10 -- 5:00 a.m . ET on CNN . ( A short feature begins at 4:00 a.m. and precedes the program . ) Program Overview . Opium now makes up 46 percent of Afghanistan 's gross domestic product . Despite the millions of American dollars spent on eradication , poppy cultivation in Afghanistan remains out of control , with the heroin produced increasingly finding its way to the streets of America and Western Europe . In Narco State : The Poppy Jihad , CNN investigates why opium production has grown so much since 9/11 and how it is fueling the Taliban 's resurgence . Grade Level : 9-12 . Subject Areas : Current Issues , Social Studies . Objectives : The CNN Special Investigations Unit Classroom Edition : Narco State : The Poppy Jihad and its corresponding discussion questions and activity challenge students to : . Curriculum Connections . Social Studies . Standard III : People , Places and Environments : Students will make informed and critical decisions about the relationship between human beings and their environment . Standard VII : Production , Distribution and Consumption : Students will learn about how people organize for the production , distribution , and consumption of goods and services . Standard IX : Global Connections : Students will examine global connections and interdependence . The Curriculum Standards for Social Studies ( http : //www.socialstudies.org/standards/ ) are published by the National Council for Social Studies ( http : //ncss.org/ ) . Discussion Questions . 1 . What efforts have the Afghan government and the international community taken in recent years to eradicate opium poppies ? 2 . According to the report : What is the current status of poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan ? What percent of the world 's illicit opium poppies are currently being produced in Afghanistan ? 3. Who are the Taliban ? What role does the program suggest that the Taliban currently plays in the production of Afghan opium poppies ? According to British journalist Peter Jouvenal , why is drug eradication a `` fantastic opportunity for the Taliban '' ? 4 . Why do you think that the U.S. has a vested interest in helping the current Afghan government to succeed ? 5 . How is the recent resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan impacting the Afghan government and the U.S.-led War on Terror ? 6 . According to the report , why do many farmers in Afghanistan grow opium poppies , despite the fact that it is illegal to do so ? 7 . What is the goal of the U.S. government 's current poppy eradication efforts , according to Doug Wankel , director of the U.S. Counter-Narcotics Task Force in Afghanistan ? Do you think that this goal is achievable ? State your rationale . Suggested Activity . Divide your class into three groups . Refer each group to the Web sites provided to prepare a presentation about either the political , economic or social aspects of opium production and drug trafficking in Afghanistan . Following the group presentations , ask students : . 1 . Of these three categories , which do you think poses the greatest challenge for those who want to eradicate poppy cultivation in Afghanistan ? State your rationale . 2 . In your view , what might be the consequences for Afghanistan , the U.S. and other members of the international community if poppy eradication efforts fail ? 3. Who do you think should be responsible for poppy eradication in Afghanistan ? EXTENSION : Group students and assign each group the role of the U.S. , Afghanistan or another member of the international community . Instruct each group to consult online resources to learn about what its nation is doing to combat the illegal drug trade . Next , conduct a mock summit where each group presents its nation 's strategy for addressing the war on drugs . Following the presentations , have students discuss the pros and cons of each strategy , and the lessons that might be learned . Wrap up the activity by having students write or videotape editorials in which they answer the following question : What approach should Afghanistan 's leaders and the international community take to address the war on drugs , and why ? Keywords . Afghanistan , drug trade , narcotics , opium , eradication , poppies , farmers , alternative crops , United States , terrorism , Taliban E-mail to a friend .
Examine the economic , political and social aspects of poppy cultivation . Identify the challenges that Afghan officials face in banning opium production . Assess national strategies for combating the illegal drug trade .