Russia seeks U.S. help in fight against heroin epidemic

[TeeYiYi]

Source: CNN

Russia seeks U.S. help in fight against heroin epidemic
By Paul Armstrong, CNN
December 9, 2009 -- Updated 1454 GMT (2254 HKT)


(CNN) -- Russia's top drugs adviser has called on the United States to use its troop surge into Afghanistan to help stem the flow of drugs entering its borders, as heroin addiction reaches epidemic levels.

Last week President Barack Obama announced plans to send an extra 30,000 U.S. troops to the region in an effort to stabilize the Afghan government by defeating the Taliban, who are believed to be heavily involved in the country's burgeoning drugs trade.

However the strategy of destroying the poppy fields of southern Afghanistan, which yield the heroin flooding out of the country, is now viewed as counterproductive by the U.S.-led coalition because it drives farmers into the hands of the Taliban.

Last year the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that Afghan poppy farmers earned around $730 million, making it a hugely lucrative cash crop.



Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/12/08/russia.afghan.heroin/index.html

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TYY

[whosinpower]

1. They would of been far smarter

To BUY up all the poppy product from those very farmers and pay them to grow vegetables next year.

[KamaAina]

2. "the Taliban, who are believed to be heavily involved in the country's burgeoning drugs trade"

Weren't we paying them money at one point to fight drugs? The M$M used to tell us that poppy output had fallen to near zero under Taliban rule.

[ixion]

3. That "Taliban is involved in the drug trade" claim is

specious, in my opinion.

They are a religious fanatic sect, with wildly rigid moral standards. I find it hard to believe that such "true believers" would be able to put their religion aside to sell heroin.

Stranger things have happened, but I would like proof. Real proof.

[tom_paine]

4. LOL. Now THAT'S funny, considering the heroin "dealers" are most likely CIA

(working with their "special Russian Mafia friends", of course)

Of course, I am sure the Russians know this, and it's all for show, anyway (the request).

[ArcticFox]

5. My thoughts exactly

First the CIA brings cocaine into America's inner cities to fund its black budget ca. Iran Contra, now it funnels heroin to Russia, with the added benefit of being destructive to Russian, rather than American, people.

[TeeYiYi]

6. I doubt the request is for show, but the irony here is staggering...

Our ex cold war arch nemesis and boogey man, Russia, is asking for our help on two fronts. Two wars, one of which they know first hand is unwinnable and a waste of national treasure. The second, they are learning the hard way and asking for help from the 'failed war on drugs experts.'

TYY

[bluedigger]

7. Sorry, Russia.

We have made a strategic decision to fight the drug war on our shores, not there. Not enough profit in it overseas for the narco-prison complex. I'm sure you understand.

[Mr. James]

8. Imperialism in liberation's clothing.

If I had to live under the nationalist cult of Putin, I would probably be shooting heroin too.

Seriously though, given that I keep hearing that Afghanistan is a "democracy," and given that I never hear the people of Afghanistan bitch about the heroin trade, I can't help but wondering what mandate the US has to curb Afghanistan's heroin trade.

Simply put, it is an imperialist action if I have ever seen one.

[HopeHoops]

9. Sure, right after they help us with OUR heroin epidemic!

Harrisburg, PA had a batch labeled "suicide" some years back. It took a number of lives, including a young lady at her dealer's house (about 3 miles from me). He went to prison and was released, but he was recently arrested again on drug manufacturing and dealing charges. The girl's mom set up a web site for parents of children with hard drug problems. I don't have the site handy, but I'll try to find it and post it as its own thread.