Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US to Change Tactics in Afghan Drug War

By Jess Kilby,  Newser User

Posted Jun 27, 2009 5:29 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The US is changing tactics in its war against the Afghan opium trade, the AP reports. Rather than targeting crops for eradication, the US will focus on interdiction and alternative crop programs. A top administration official called eradication “a waste of money” that failed to divert “a single dollar” of the roughly $70 million militants made in the opium and heroin trade last year.

"The farmers are not our enemy, they're just growing a crop to make a living," said Richard Holbrook, the US envoy to Afghanistan. "It's the drug system. So the US policy was driving people into the hands of the Taliban."

An Afghan anti-drug policeman stands, right, as the drugs are seen burning during a drug-burning ceremony on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, April 26, 2009.
An Afghan anti-drug policeman stands, right, as the drugs are seen burning during a drug-burning ceremony on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, April 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Afghan counter-drug officials burned 6.5 tons of drugs in a raging bonfire Sunday that they said symbolized recent successes in Afghanistan's fight against opium poppies and heroin.
Afghan counter-drug officials burned 6.5 tons of drugs in a raging bonfire Sunday that they said symbolized recent successes in Afghanistan's fight against opium poppies and heroin.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
Afghan farmers work in opium poppy fields south of Kabul, April 25, 2009. The Taliban's money is coming mostly from extortion, crime and drugs, an AP investigation into financial networks has found.
Afghan farmers work in opium poppy fields south of Kabul, April 25, 2009. The Taliban's money is coming mostly from extortion, crime and drugs, an AP investigation into financial networks has found.   (AP Photo/Abdul Khaleq,FILE)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Mr.C
Jun 28, 2009 9:45 AM CDT
I WILL REDO YOUR HORRID SITE: http://aclepd.com/intro.html FOR FREE IF YOU GET YOUR ASS OFF OF NEWSER.COM FOREVER AND STOP SPAMMING
JonmarkP
Jun 28, 2009 9:43 AM CDT
Oh, crap-from the headline, I thought the CIA might be getting out of the drug-selling business. No chance of that, though. They're just as addicted to the drug trade as any user is to the drugs themselves.
oldgoat
Jun 28, 2009 8:51 AM CDT
It is true that some drugs like pot do have so medicinal purposes and I wouldn't have a problem with it being legalized as a prescription medicine as long as there are controls on it so that it can't get handed out like candy. Having worked with people on pot and having a friend killed while high might kind of blemish my outlook on making drugs legal. I've seen to many of them get started just on a "harmless" joint, but when the buzz wore off they needed to go to something else with more punch to it. Still stand by the idea of just don't use illegal drugs and we won't have the costs and the BS about productive citizens? Go look on skid row and the drunks and addicts and tell me the drugs don't have a effect.
World • Politics • US

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • heroin • drug trafficking • opium • drug trade • Richard Holbrooke • crop eradication

More Newser Stories

Taliban: Prince Harry Shouldn't Kill

Afghan Civilian Deaths Hit New High

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

'No Surprise' Marines Urinated on Taliban

Marines in Urination Video ID'd
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne