World

US changes tack on Afghan poppies

by Babel-Fish | June 27, 2009 at 04:32 pm

568 views | 17 Recommendations | 3 comments

The United States is to change the way it deals with the massive poppy growing industry in Afghanistan.

Instead of destroying the crops it will spend money encouraging Afghan farmers to grow different ones.

US special envoy to Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke, at a G8 meeting in Italy, said current measures against poppy growers had been "a failure"

Of course these farmers will show loads of interest but still grow poppies

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Amy Judd

at 16:34 on June 27th, 2009

I think this is definitely a step in the right direction!

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 17:24 on June 27th, 2009

Destroying their poppy fields only took away their livelihood. It left them no choice but to look to the Taliban for help.

This approach may help, it all depends how it affects their income.

everchanging

at 21:20 on June 27th, 2009

A little back-ground on the "Opium Poppy" plant.

Common Names: Opium Poppy; Plant of Joy and Mawseed

Botanical Classification -
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Papaver
Species: Somniferum

Effects Classification -
Sedative and Euphoriant

Description: Papaver somniferum is a annual that with brilliant white or red flowers growing on a central bulbous pod. When scratched, the pod produces a milkly latex called opium. This latex contains a variety of opiates including codeine and morphine. It has a long history of use in Asia and Europe.

Source: Erowid.org