Opium in Afghanistan

Fact: Afghanistan is currently the main supplier of Opium in Europe and North America. In 2007, 92% of the opiates on the world market originated in Afghanistan.

History:

- During the Soviet invasion, CIA agents allegedly helped Afghans smuggle opium out of Afghanistan to help fund the anti-Soviet forces.

- Shortly after the Taliban came to power, in 2000 the Taliban declared that opium was un-muslim and opium production drops by 91%... do the math to see what that does to global opium supply.

- A year later, USA invades Afghanistan to remove the Taliban from power for supposedly being terorrists that hate America. Ever since then, opium production in Afghanistan is back to record highs, and it's being shipped out to all over the world.

for sources see the wiki article and the relevant citations.

Thoughts? Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people, nevermind the thousands of US and UN troops and Afghan civilians that were killed?

Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people

F1_2004

yeah i worte some papers on that... but wikipedia? get a better source.

Still most military operations burn the poppy fields. Some is kept as 'pharmasutical' purposes. Still due to the war Talibans smuggle the opium to fund themselves.

Sources; a few soldiers i know who were on tour there

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people

-Sun_Tzu-

Afghan opium is a a $65 billion market, and is far more than what the US needs for painkillers. You're suggesting the US sink a major part of its budget on buying out opium for the greater good of mankind. US voters disagree on spending money for healthcare of other americans, the notion that they would sink this much money on saving the world from opium addiction is laughable and a complete fantasy.

As for their economy... the Taliban had declared opium to be anti-muslim and it was cut down by a huge amount in just one year, because of the strength of religion in the country. I don't know why you're suggesting it wouldn't be feasible, because they did it. Then the USA came in, kicked out the Taliban, installed a new puppet government, opium production once again skyrocketed to pay for the cost of their war.

Now, Afghan opium kills 100,000 people every year worldwide, which the US war is directly responsible for.

Thoughts? Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people, nevermind the thousands of US and UN troops and Afghan civilians that were killed?

F1_2004

What do you mean ruining the lives of millions of people? Whos fault is it really for taking drugs and for why the war happened I think opium was irrelevant.

The only reason why the US army doesn't burn all poppy fields is because they're hated enough there, they are afraid that burning would cause a revolt among the civilians as opium is the only source of income for many Afghans...Blaminator1221

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Thoughts? Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people, nevermind the thousands of US and UN troops and Afghan civilians that were killed?

__Chris__

What do you mean ruining the lives of millions of people? Whos fault is it really for taking drugs and for why the war happened I think opium was irrelevant.

[QUOTE="__Chris__"]

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Thoughts? Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people, nevermind the thousands of US and UN troops and Afghan civilians that were killed?

OldTopics

What do you mean ruining the lives of millions of people? Whos fault is it really for taking drugs and for why the war happened I think opium was irrelevant.

What do you mean they keep "pumping" more in?

[QUOTE="OldTopics"][QUOTE="__Chris__"]

What do you mean ruining the lives of millions of people? Whos fault is it really for taking drugs and for why the war happened I think opium was irrelevant.

__Chris__

What do you mean they keep "pumping" more in?

[QUOTE="__Chris__"]

[QUOTE="OldTopics"] i agree with you that its the persons fault for getting addicted, ruining their life. But i find it kind of funny that the war on drugs tries to end heroin consumption, yet they are pumping more in....hmmm.....OldTopics

What do you mean they keep "pumping" more in?

Who is "they"? What are you talking about?

[QUOTE="OldTopics"][QUOTE="__Chris__"]

What do you mean they keep "pumping" more in?

__Chris__

Who is "they"? What are you talking about?

[QUOTE="__Chris__"]

[QUOTE="OldTopics"] they put more heroin on the streetsOldTopics

Who is "they"? What are you talking about?

Erm no they don't.

[QUOTE="OldTopics"][QUOTE="__Chris__"]

Who is "they"? What are you talking about?

__Chris__

Erm no they don't.

[QUOTE="__Chris__"]

[QUOTE="OldTopics"] CIA F1_2004

Erm no they don't.

You really believe they smuggle out opium that is going to be used in heroin or other illegal drugs?

[QUOTE="F1_2004"][QUOTE="__Chris__"]

Erm no they don't.

__Chris__

You really believe they smuggle out opium that is going to be used in heroin or other illegal drugs?

[QUOTE="F1_2004"][QUOTE="__Chris__"]

Erm no they don't.

__Chris__

You really believe they smuggle out opium that is going to be used in heroin or other illegal drugs?

You really believe they smuggle out opium that is going to be used in heroin or other illegal drugs?__Chris__

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Was the war really worth releasing this much opium into the world and ruining the lives of millions of people

F1_2004

Afghan opium is a a $65 billion market, and is far more than what the US needs for painkillers. You're suggesting the US sink a major part of its budget on buying out opium for the greater good of mankind. US voters disagree on spending money for healthcare of other americans, the notion that they would sink this much money on saving the world from opium addiction is laughable and a complete fantasy.

As for their economy... the Taliban had declared opium to be anti-muslim and it was cut down by a huge amount in just one year, because of the strength of religion in the country. I don't know why you're suggesting it wouldn't be feasible, because they did it. Then the USA came in, kicked out the Taliban, installed a new puppet government, opium production once again skyrocketed to pay for the cost of their war.

Now, Afghan opium kills 100,000 people every year worldwide, which the US war is directly responsible for.

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"] This is a false dichotomy. There's no reason why the U.S. couldn't buy the opium being grown in Afghanistan for painkillers. Afghanistan is a very poor country, and the only thing that the Afghan economy has to offer at the moment is opium, and instead of buying their opium and making their only cash crop legitimate, we've just been burning it throughout most of the war, which has pretty much guaranteed that all of the profits from the opium industry go to the taliban and other shady figures and organizations.-Sun_Tzu-

Afghan opium is a a $65 billion market, and is far more than what the US needs for painkillers. You're suggesting the US sink a major part of its budget on buying out opium for the greater good of mankind. US voters disagree on spending money for healthcare of other americans, the notion that they would sink this much money on saving the world from opium addiction is laughable and a complete fantasy.

As for their economy... the Taliban had declared opium to be anti-muslim and it was cut down by a huge amount in just one year, because of the strength of religion in the country. I don't know why you're suggesting it wouldn't be feasible, because they did it. Then the USA came in, kicked out the Taliban, installed a new puppet government, opium production once again skyrocketed to pay for the cost of their war.

Now, Afghan opium kills 100,000 people every year worldwide, which the US war is directly responsible for.

[QUOTE="Blaminator1221"]The only reason why the US army doesn't burn all poppy fields is because they're hated enough there, they are afraid that burning would cause a revolt among the civilians as opium is the only source of income for many Afghans...OldTopics

poppy growing is the only thing that puts food on the table. If they burn down your only source of income youll be pissed off, poor and vunerable to joining extremist groups like the Taliban, who wants more enemies?

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Afghan opium is a a $65 billion market, and is far more than what the US needs for painkillers. You're suggesting the US sink a major part of its budget on buying out opium for the greater good of mankind. US voters disagree on spending money for healthcare of other americans, the notion that they would sink this much money on saving the world from opium addiction is laughable and a complete fantasy.

As for their economy... the Taliban had declared opium to be anti-muslim and it was cut down by a huge amount in just one year, because of the strength of religion in the country. I don't know why you're suggesting it wouldn't be feasible, because they did it. Then the USA came in, kicked out the Taliban, installed a new puppet government, opium production once again skyrocketed to pay for the cost of their war.

Now, Afghan opium kills 100,000 people every year worldwide, which the US war is directly responsible for.

F1_2004

Dont confuse the Taliban with the people of afghanistan. The Taliban oppressed them and forced them to stop doing the only thing that was profitable. If the US invasion seems to conicide with the ban of opium culture maybe it was to prevent a full blown revolution. Blood would have been spilled. Most muslums hate the Taliban. Its a extremist mouvement born through the hardships of war. It fails most values of the religion.

The war caused strife and desperation so that the Taliban needed opium trade to fuel their efforts. They are responsible for the heroin traded around the world. Besides why would the American gouvernment get their own people addicted to heroin? Its not profitable to lose part of the work force and invest in drug rehab. If they want to be international drug dealers they get the Afghans or Iraqi addicted. Who would know its under military occupation

[QUOTE="F1_2004"][QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"] There's been a painkiller shortage in much of the U.S. for many years now, and for that reason we already allow Turkey to cultivate opium. And we don't even have to use the opium for painkillers - we can just burn it still if we want. But right now the illicit opium industry is a huge source of revenue for the Taliban, Afghan warlords, ect. And when the Taliban ban on opium production was in place it was incredibly unpopular and it was very unlikely that it would have lasted had the Taliban not been overthrown considering the political and economic implications it had on the Afghan people. Angry_Bosmer

Dont confuse the Taliban with the people of afghanistan. The Taliban oppressed them and forced them to stop doing the only thing that was profitable. If the US invasion seems to conicide with the ban of opium culture maybe it was to prevent a full blown revolution. Blood would have been spilled. Most muslums hate the Taliban. Its a extremist mouvement born through the hardships of war. It fails most values of the religion.

The war caused strife and desperation so that the Taliban needed opium trade to fuel their efforts. They are responsible for the heroin traded around the world. Besides why would the American gouvernment get their own people addicted to heroin? Its not profitable to lose part of the work force and invest in drug rehab. If they want to be international drug dealers they get the Afghans or Iraqi addicted. Who would know its under military occupation

[QUOTE="F1_2004"] well that is purely conjecture now, isnt it? aside from the fact that i find it a ridiculous idea that a country of religious muslims would rise up against their muslim leaders and do something that has been declared anti muslim, there is still the fact that the ban in 2000 cut down on opium so quickly and effectively and stuck until the usa came in, which would not have happened had there been much public unrest. also, like i already said, americans would never agree to burn billions of dollars. and lets not forget that, in the worst case scenario, the country would have taken several years to go back on its muslim leaders and bring opium production back to normal, and with 100,000 deaths per year that is several hundreds of thousands of lives spared. regardless ofwhat you think about heroin addicts, the us war resulted in the death of many, many people.-Sun_Tzu-

Quite obviously banning opium was not popular in a country that exports 90% of the world's opium. If the rest of the world's countries can survive without making crazy money off of exporting extremely poisonous drugs to the world, Afghanistan should find a way. Death penalty wouldn't be exclusive to Afghanistan, and trafficking drugs to the world that kill 100,000 people a year is most certainly worthy of an extreme penalty.

I'll tell you what is a very odd argument to make - that a war that gave Afghans back their opium farming, and re-released opium into the world causing the death of many, was a good idea. At least this is what I think you're saying, although I'm probably wrong because I can't imagine how it can make any sense to anyone. Please tell me your argument is not "Afghans should be allowed to farm opium and fill the world with heroin". Please.

With drugs, the supply is never the problem or the answer. One must first address the demand. Cut Afghanistan's production and another place will inevitably take over.

Quite obviously banning opium was not popular in a country that exports 90% of the world's opium. If the rest of the world's countries can survive without making crazy money off of exporting extremely poisonous drugs to the world, Afghanistan should find a way. Death penalty wouldn't be exclusive to Afghanistan, and trafficking drugs to the world that kill 100,000 people a year is most certainly worthy of an extreme penalty.

I'll tell you what is a very odd argument to make - that a war that gave Afghans back their opium farming, and re-released opium into the world causing the death of many, was a good idea. At least this is what I think you're saying, although I'm probably wrong because I can't imagine how it can make any sense to anyone. Please tell me your argument is not "Afghans should be allowed to farm opium and fill the world with heroin". Please.

F1_2004

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Quite obviously banning opium was not popular in a country that exports 90% of the world's opium. If the rest of the world's countries can survive without making crazy money off of exporting extremely poisonous drugs to the world, Afghanistan should find a way. Death penalty wouldn't be exclusive to Afghanistan, and trafficking drugs to the world that kill 100,000 people a year is most certainly worthy of an extreme penalty.

I'll tell you what is a very odd argument to make - that a war that gave Afghans back their opium farming, and re-released opium into the world causing the death of many, was a good idea. At least this is what I think you're saying, although I'm probably wrong because I can't imagine how it can make any sense to anyone. Please tell me your argument is not "Afghans should be allowed to farm opium and fill the world with heroin". Please.

-Sun_Tzu-

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Quite obviously banning opium was not popular in a country that exports 90% of the world's opium. If the rest of the world's countries can survive without making crazy money off of exporting extremely poisonous drugs to the world, Afghanistan should find a way. Death penalty wouldn't be exclusive to Afghanistan, and trafficking drugs to the world that kill 100,000 people a year is most certainly worthy of an extreme penalty.

I'll tell you what is a very odd argument to make - that a war that gave Afghans back their opium farming, and re-released opium into the world causing the death of many, was a good idea. At least this is what I think you're saying, although I'm probably wrong because I can't imagine how it can make any sense to anyone. Please tell me your argument is not "Afghans should be allowed to farm opium and fill the world with heroin". Please.

F1_2004

[QUOTE="F1_2004"][QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"]Most of the rest of the world isn't as poor as Afghanistan. Besides the production of opium, in the short-term the afghan economy is non-existence. And do you honestly support the beheading of poor farmers who's only means of supporting his family is opium cultivation? And as I already stated, this opium doesn't have to be used for heroin - there is a painkiller shortage throughout much of the U.S. and instead of burning their only cash crop and make it so that the Taliban (ya know, the same Taliban that routinely beat and publically humiliated women and threw battery acid into the faces of girls trying to go to school) reap most of the profits from this lucrative industry, we could be buying this opium for ourselves for painkillers. -Sun_Tzu-

with the taliban there was no opium farming becasue it was illegal and you would be hung to death if caught. With the americans afghanistan is the largets supplier in the world again. The borther of the president is one of the largets drug dealers in the world.

Your kidding yourself if you dont think the CIA isnt in the drug business.

[QUOTE="-Sun_Tzu-"][QUOTE="F1_2004"] I think we're just going to have to agree to disagree, because I see no possible justification for the opium farmers and drug lords of Afghanistan making a living at the expense of the rest of the world, nor for the US making this happen.F1_2004

your USA CIA is the biggest drug dealer in the world.

open your eyes.

[QUOTE="Angry_Bosmer"]

[QUOTE="F1_2004"] well that is purely conjecture now, isnt it? aside from the fact that i find it a ridiculous idea that a country of religious muslims would rise up against their muslim leaders and do something that has been declared anti muslim, there is still the fact that the ban in 2000 cut down on opium so quickly and effectively and stuck until the usa came in, which would not have happened had there been much public unrest. also, like i already said, americans would never agree to burn billions of dollars. and lets not forget that, in the worst case scenario, the country would have taken several years to go back on its muslim leaders and bring opium production back to normal, and with 100,000 deaths per year that is several hundreds of thousands of lives spared. regardless ofwhat you think about heroin addicts, the us war resulted in the death of many, many people.F1_2004

Dont confuse the Taliban with the people of afghanistan. The Taliban oppressed them and forced them to stop doing the only thing that was profitable. If the US invasion seems to conicide with the ban of opium culture maybe it was to prevent a full blown revolution. Blood would have been spilled. Most muslums hate the Taliban. Its a extremist mouvement born through the hardships of war. It fails most values of the religion.

The war caused strife and desperation so that the Taliban needed opium trade to fuel their efforts. They are responsible for the heroin traded around the world. Besides why would the American gouvernment get their own people addicted to heroin? Its not profitable to lose part of the work force and invest in drug rehab. If they want to be international drug dealers they get the Afghans or Iraqi addicted. Who would know its under military occupation

I meant opressing by stoping women from going to school. Beating women, killing them. The example of battery acid goes