THINK TANK URGES PRESIDENT KARZAI TO FOCUS ON ALTERNATIVES TO DRUG WAR POLICIES

“The situation in Afghanistan is a crisis. Putting the opium market in the hands of Afghan businessmen and farmers instead of in the warlords can only help build the Afghan state,” said Emmanuel Reinert.

“On one side there is a shortage of Morphine in the world for medical purposes,” said Mr Reinert, “and on the other hand there is too much illegal opium being produced. We need to find a balance between the two; and this can be done whilst alleviating the crisis in Afghanistan.”

For a description of legal opium production see this Drug Intelligence Brief from the DEA. (scroll down to opium)

For a comparison of Afghanistan and Colombia see War, drugs, and the war on drugs from the International Relations and Security Network