So, why are we destoying the Afghan poppy fields?
To cut down on the amount of narcotics available in the US! Does this make sense? No! Why not?
Because we could actually take the poppies and use them for pain-killing medicines such as morphine and codeine. The poppy is a potential source of these two licensed drugs. Putting in a scheme to ‘license’ local farmers to grow poppies for medical purposes and not for the opium based illegal drugs trade would enable these farmers to pursue their traditional livelihood and way of life. It would enable them to feed themselves and their families and give them a positive way of dragging themselves out of poverty.
There is apparently, a global shortage of morphine and codeine, especially in underdeveloped countries where thay are in short supply or unavailable. So, instead of trying to bomb Afghanistan into submission and destroy crops forcing local people into the hands of the Taleban and drug lords, why don’t we tell the British Government – and the US – to change their stance and do something more positive instead?
Poppy Fields