"You have a governor who really did a very good job in eliminating poppy over 75 percent reduction, I think, over the past 12 months, " Schweich says.

NPR: Teams Focus on Poppy Eradication in Afghanistan

Thomas Schweich, the acting U.S. assistant secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, says that under a recently revised strategy against opium, the United States plans to bolster local Afghan officials like Abdul Majid with millions of dollars.

NPR: Teams Focus on Poppy Eradication in Afghanistan