ities against Afghan civilians. (Galeotti 81). p> This created another problem when they returned home. They were unable to overcome the feeling that they had the authority to treat people however they wished. Some veterans, unable to square the demands of war with the demands of conscience, were locked behind the bars of mental hospitals. Other became compulsively violent. By the end of 1989, more than 3,000 veterans were in prison for criminal offenses. Of the 3,000 prisoners, more than half were convicted of murder or rape. (Galeotti 52). p> Another consequence of the Afghan war was drug addiction and excess consumption of alcohol. Because combat in any area wasn't safe, the soldiers had to be always on high alert. In order to relax, many relied on drugs. Afghanistan was the major supplier of poppy to the world during those times. Drugs became part of the Soviet soldier's lives. Many felt that drugs were essential for survival. Drugs helped a soldier to carry 90 pounds of ammunition up and down the mountains. It helped them to overcome the depression resulting from their friend's deaths, and to overcome their own fear of death. Drugs and alcohol became the usual procedure of self-medication, because other options were unavailable. One veteran said "There wasn't a single person among us who didn't do drugs in Afghanistan. You needed relaxation, or you went out of your mind. " (Galeotti 51). This created a generation of drug addicts and alcoholics. According to the Soviet Department of Health Services, a 20.4% increase was registered from 1979 to 1985, compared to 1950-1978. (Galeotti 53). p> Today we have witnessed the gravest consequence of the Soviet-Afghan war. It created the monster the world called the Taliban. This harsh fundamental ruling body came to power in the vacuum that came about after the Soviets pulled out and returned home. The Afghan government was weak and lacked national power. It soon collapsed giving rise to the Taliban, who turned Afghanistan into world's terrorist center. p> Even today, the Afghans and Soviets still suffer the results of the war. Clearly there were no winners. Perhaps today that has changed, because the Afghan people, the Soviets, and the US this time are all on the same side. Perhaps this time all will be winners, and only Bin Laden and the Taliban will be the losers. br/>
