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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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US to Change Tactics in Afghan Drug War

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(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)
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kokuaguy
Jun 27, 09 4:09 PM CDT
Keep at it Greg. Eventually you and the "spammer" will find common ground. In the meantime, at least the quality of Robert's contributions is improving.
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Mr.C
Jun 28, 09 4:45 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
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JonmarkP
Jun 28, 09 10:38 AM CDT
Aclped, you're not just w useless spammer, you're a sanctimonious twit. I don't even bother to read your windbag comments any more.
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oldgoat
Jun 27, 09 6:00 AM CDT
On the other hand people could just not use illegal drugs and we could save money. Your logic is like saying let's just let petty theft not be a jail sentence because afterall it isn't really that harmful and we know that we aren't going to stop it anyway. Reply
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shonangreg
Jun 27, 09 6:30 AM CDT
Who are you talking to, oldgoat? aclepd has not responded one single time here to a question, and this post has appeared here word for word. He is a SPAMMER -- period.
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