AFGHANISTAN PRODUCES 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S OPIUM
Allahur oko ba for a Muslim country to do this. Opium producers are as destructive as homosexuals.
opium_poppy_150x150As the United States continues to face the ... read full comment
AFGHANISTAN PRODUCES 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S OPIUM
Allahur oko ba for a Muslim country to do this. Opium producers are as destructive as homosexuals.
opium_poppy_150x150As the United States continues to face the devastating effects of the prescription opioid and heroin epidemic, many may wonder how the massive demand for the source of such drugs, opium, is met. Historically, the opium poppy (papaver somniferum) was grown in a number of different parts of the world and used to treat a number of conditions, such as pain and sleep disorders. However, today the story of the poppy is quite different, being used to create a number of different pharmaceuticals which are primarily consumed in the U.S. and heroin; together the two have led to arguably the greatest drug epidemic in history.
An Unlimited Source
Southeast Asia and the northern Middle East have had a long history with opium production. In both sectors of the world, efforts were made to combat the drug’s production; in Laos and Thailand U.S. assisted efforts were actually quite successful. In Afghanistan, opium production has reached new heights, producing 90 percent of the world’s opium supply, NBC News reports. What’s more, America has spent $8.4 billion in counternarcotics programs in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan has roughly 500,000 acres, or about 780 square miles, devoted to growing opium poppy. That’s equivalent to more than 400,000 U.S. football fields — including the end zones,” John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, said at a speech in May.
When the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, the country was responsible for just 70 percent of illicit opium production in the world – due in part to the Taliban who viewed drugs as anti-Islamic. Nearly 15 years later, illicit opium agriculture has grown exponentially, and many farmers feel that they have no choice but to continue growing the insidious crop.
“It’s much easier if you’re a farmer to grow opium than to grow saffron or to grow grapes or something like that,” said Jonah Blank, a senior political scientist and Afghanistan expert at the RAND Corporation in Washington, D.C. “Opium is a much more profitable crop. It requires a lot less infrastructure. You can grow opium practically anywhere, and it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, it doesn’t need complex transportation networks.”
Sleeping Governments
The U.S. has funded and assisted two different efforts for dismantling of Afghan production, according to the article. Unfortunately, neither of which have proved to be fruitful and in some ways have only added to the problem. Between 2001 and 2009, America funded the Afghan government for an eradication plan, which resulted in widespread corruption and did little to dam the poppy milk river. The second effort involved billions of dollars and an offer to farmers to substitute the poppy for legal cash crops; however, the farmers were never provided the tools necessary for growing other crops.
“The whole system is criminalized. It runs through the police, the courts, through the whole government system,” said Nasir Shansab, author of “Silent Trees: Power and Passion in War-Torn Afghanistan.” When we talk about corruption in Afghanistan, which is rampant, now this is part of it.”
A Timeless Industry
Opium production and the drugs that can be derived from it, are interwoven into our society. The medicinal properties associated with such drugs are essential for the management of pain. It seems nearly impossible to combat illicit use without disrupting medical use. As the U.S. distances itself from Afghanistan, it will be interesting to see the next tactic used in fight against the world’s oldest narcotic.
If you or a loved one is addicted to opioids there is help available. At Christians Drug Rehab we have developed a specialized treatment program for those addicted to opioid narcotics.
AFGHANISTAN PRODUCES 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD’S OPIUM
Allahur oko ba for a Muslim country to do this. Opium producers are as destructive as homosexuals.
opium_poppy_150x150As the United States continues to face the ...
read full comment