Home
Should poppy be legalized in Afghanistan?
Share
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumble Upon
Technorati
Mixx
Sphinn
Twitter
SphereIt
Propeller
Gmarks
Newsvine
Yahoo! My Web
Live Journal
Blinklist
E-mailMade Popular Nov 5 2007
Yes # Eradication programmes have driven poppy farmers into the arms of the Taliban.
# By allowing pharmaceutical processing at village level, young men can be trained for light industrial work. This is important for the future of Afghanistan.
# Similar schemes have worked in other countries which used to have a serious drug problem, such as Pakistan and Thailand.
No # With violence and instability still wracking the country, legitimize poppy production could make a bad situation even worse.
# The legal opiates on the world market is $35 to $40/kilogram while illegal opiates fetch nearly $100/kilo forcing farmers to divert part or all of their crop for heroin.
Add Images and Videos
Close X
Recommended Tags or Keywords
Search by Tags or Keywords
Selected Media ( You can Upload only Six media )
Sorry no picture found for this combination of tags. Try to search minimum number of tags at once
RSS 
Narcotics should in any form be banned and eradicated from all parts of the world, but considering the facts that a large number of Afghani farmers earn their livelihood from the opium trade and the failure of the current counter-narcotics policy of forced eradication, it would be far better to initiate Poppy-for-Medicine pilot projects in Afghanistan, which not only would provide a source of income for poor farmers but also help in medication industry.
Even the European Parliament, by a vote of 368-49, has adopted a report urging that opium in Afghanistan – which western powers have tried to eliminate – should be made legal in a number of cases for remedial purposes.
Viewing the present circumstances, possibly, the time has come for a more pragmatic policy on poppy production and distribution in the volatile nation. If government can channel the crop towards benign uses like pain killers and simultaneously reduce the seemingly endless flow of illegal heroin finding its way to different parts of the world, it can only be positive.
Even the European Parliament, by a vote of 368-49, has adopted a report urging that opium in Afghanistan – which western powers have tried to eliminate – should be made legal in a number of cases for remedial purposes.
Viewing the present circumstances, possibly, the time has come for a more pragmatic policy on poppy production and distribution in the volatile nation. If government can channel the crop towards benign uses like pain killers and simultaneously reduce the seemingly endless flow of illegal heroin finding its way to different parts of the world, it can only be positive.
First, narcotics being the backbone of the Afghan economy cannot be controlled either by banning or legalizing it. Poppy, the source of opium that is further used into making heroin is the main cash crop of the Afghan farmers who have ready made buyers in the warlords who have an extremely organized channel of resale and distribution of the narcotic all over the world.
The world is fighting a very tough battle in many fronts from South America to Burma to Afghanistan to stop this menacing trade. It is an ongoing war. Without the collective efforts of the countries, the trade would boom beyond control. The US of A has so far done a wonderful job in controlling the South American cartels and put some big shots including the then Nicaraguan president Ortega behind bars for drug trafficking and containing Khun Sa in Burma.
Legalizing poppy cultivation in the name of allowing farmers to contribute towards cottage-level pharma industry is a thought that is not only ridiculous, but dangerous as well. It will not only give all and sundry a license to grow poppy without the fear of having their crops destroyed. This will also effect a drop in narcotics prices worldwide making drugs cheaper on the streets. There can be bloody price wars. Of course, quacks who practice medicine at village levels will not be affected either by complete ban or legalization because they would find a way out as always.
In my opinion, stricter and more proactive measures must be taken to discourage poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.
The world is fighting a very tough battle in many fronts from South America to Burma to Afghanistan to stop this menacing trade. It is an ongoing war. Without the collective efforts of the countries, the trade would boom beyond control. The US of A has so far done a wonderful job in controlling the South American cartels and put some big shots including the then Nicaraguan president Ortega behind bars for drug trafficking and containing Khun Sa in Burma.
Legalizing poppy cultivation in the name of allowing farmers to contribute towards cottage-level pharma industry is a thought that is not only ridiculous, but dangerous as well. It will not only give all and sundry a license to grow poppy without the fear of having their crops destroyed. This will also effect a drop in narcotics prices worldwide making drugs cheaper on the streets. There can be bloody price wars. Of course, quacks who practice medicine at village levels will not be affected either by complete ban or legalization because they would find a way out as always.
In my opinion, stricter and more proactive measures must be taken to discourage poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.
Hey that’s an interesting question but i must say YES poppy should be legalized not just because i love the psychedelic effects of opium but there’s a need for that in Afghanistan.
i think whatever my friends on the other side are sayin are right to some level but i think legalizing poppy will surely help to reduce the serious drug problem along with the heroin trade overseas.
By legalizing poppy and letting farmers know that if any one sells it to the illegal market, the entire village is at the risk of losing the license. So this way they are keeping check on themselves.
i think it is the most effective way to help Afghanistan prosper and letting the youth get away from the clutches of Taliban.
i think whatever my friends on the other side are sayin are right to some level but i think legalizing poppy will surely help to reduce the serious drug problem along with the heroin trade overseas.
By legalizing poppy and letting farmers know that if any one sells it to the illegal market, the entire village is at the risk of losing the license. So this way they are keeping check on themselves.
i think it is the most effective way to help Afghanistan prosper and letting the youth get away from the clutches of Taliban.
why is Afghanistan the most unsafe place on earth? because Talibs live there? more or less that may be the answer but how do they survive?
it is the Afghanistan’s ILLEGAL-DRUG TRADE that breeds them and poses the gravest threat to the long-term security of the world, and effective governance of Afghanistan.
If this ILLEGAL trade is made LEGAL, it will help the afghan economy to grow and Taliban’s aid to squeeze.
US forces are fighting them for over 6 years now but more we kill them more they grow. All i mean to say is cut the roots and this illegal trade if legalized will be like cutting the roots.
it is the Afghanistan’s ILLEGAL-DRUG TRADE that breeds them and poses the gravest threat to the long-term security of the world, and effective governance of Afghanistan.
If this ILLEGAL trade is made LEGAL, it will help the afghan economy to grow and Taliban’s aid to squeeze.
US forces are fighting them for over 6 years now but more we kill them more they grow. All i mean to say is cut the roots and this illegal trade if legalized will be like cutting the roots.
@ Ananickole:
By legalizing poppy and letting farmers know that if any one sells it to the illegal market, the entire village is at the risk of losing the license. So this way they are keeping check on themselves.
Who is going to give or take away the poppy growing ’license’ to the villagers? In any case, who is going to control? It’s the warlords who control the poppy cultivation, processing, sale and distribution, not the NATO or the US or the Afghan forces. The whole exercise of legalizing it is therefore going to be farcical. We must not forget that the Afghanistan government has control of only Kabul and a small area beyond it.
@ Tobysinclair:
If this ILLEGAL trade is made LEGAL, it will help the afghan economy to grow and Taliban’s aid to squeeze.
Again, it’s not only the Taliban who is into this narcotic trade. Other militia warlords also actively encourage it. Besides, even if it is made legal, will the farmers under the control of various militia factions including Taliban, be able to sell opium to - what you termed as - ’legal’ markets?
The point is that poppy cultivation, wherever it takes place in Afghanistan, is done in areas that is under the control of one or other militia commander. It is therefore natural to expect the farmers would be loyal to the warlords who control their areas than to some stupid diktat from a more or less impotent government in Kabul.
Now if someone argues that the Western forces can be the main buyers; well, it won’t be possible because -
a) domestic laws of the countries from where the forces come from,
b) the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan is struggling to fight rebels and terrorists. Even a substantial partial control of Afghanistan is a distant dream for them yet.
By legalizing poppy and letting farmers know that if any one sells it to the illegal market, the entire village is at the risk of losing the license. So this way they are keeping check on themselves.
Who is going to give or take away the poppy growing ’license’ to the villagers? In any case, who is going to control? It’s the warlords who control the poppy cultivation, processing, sale and distribution, not the NATO or the US or the Afghan forces. The whole exercise of legalizing it is therefore going to be farcical. We must not forget that the Afghanistan government has control of only Kabul and a small area beyond it.
@ Tobysinclair:
If this ILLEGAL trade is made LEGAL, it will help the afghan economy to grow and Taliban’s aid to squeeze.
Again, it’s not only the Taliban who is into this narcotic trade. Other militia warlords also actively encourage it. Besides, even if it is made legal, will the farmers under the control of various militia factions including Taliban, be able to sell opium to - what you termed as - ’legal’ markets?
The point is that poppy cultivation, wherever it takes place in Afghanistan, is done in areas that is under the control of one or other militia commander. It is therefore natural to expect the farmers would be loyal to the warlords who control their areas than to some stupid diktat from a more or less impotent government in Kabul.
Now if someone argues that the Western forces can be the main buyers; well, it won’t be possible because -
a) domestic laws of the countries from where the forces come from,
b) the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan is struggling to fight rebels and terrorists. Even a substantial partial control of Afghanistan is a distant dream for them yet.
Legalizing Poppy?????? Oh My god... we should pressurize Afghanistan govt. to legalize poppy first and then take a similar step for legalizing murder, blast, terrorism and even rape too. What about the idea to legalize corruption in India??
@ Jonty
Again, it’s not only the Taliban who is into this narcotic trade. Other militia warlords also actively encourage it. Besides, even if it is made legal, will the farmers under the control of various militia factions including Taliban, be able to sell opium to - what you termed as - ’legal’ markets?
The point is that poppy cultivation, wherever it takes place in Afghanistan, is done in areas that is under the control of one or other militia commander. It is therefore natural to expect the farmers would be loyal to the warlords who control their areas than to some stupid diktat from a more or less impotent government in Kabul.
Let’s get to the problem first. why do you think these farmers are loyal to the warlords? and why do you think is the govt of Afghanistan impotent as you put it.
The problem is because they don’t have enough to feed their families and no other source of income and no other alternative crop to grow.
US troops are destroying the poppy fields. So where do these farmers go?
obviously there’s Taliban...The irony is each time a poppy crop is destroyed,the poor becomes poorer—and more likely to support the Taliban against the US forces.
it’s not about drugs is Afghanistan it’s about terrorism, the worst of its kind, the breeding ground of all the bomb blasts in the world.
@ Pratyush
Legalizing Poppy?????? Oh My god... we should pressurize Afghanistan govt. to legalize poppy first and then take a similar step for legalizing murder, blast, terrorism and even rape too. What about the idea to legalize corruption in India??
you are not even close to the point.
Again, it’s not only the Taliban who is into this narcotic trade. Other militia warlords also actively encourage it. Besides, even if it is made legal, will the farmers under the control of various militia factions including Taliban, be able to sell opium to - what you termed as - ’legal’ markets?
The point is that poppy cultivation, wherever it takes place in Afghanistan, is done in areas that is under the control of one or other militia commander. It is therefore natural to expect the farmers would be loyal to the warlords who control their areas than to some stupid diktat from a more or less impotent government in Kabul.
Let’s get to the problem first. why do you think these farmers are loyal to the warlords? and why do you think is the govt of Afghanistan impotent as you put it.
The problem is because they don’t have enough to feed their families and no other source of income and no other alternative crop to grow.
US troops are destroying the poppy fields. So where do these farmers go?
obviously there’s Taliban...The irony is each time a poppy crop is destroyed,the poor becomes poorer—and more likely to support the Taliban against the US forces.
it’s not about drugs is Afghanistan it’s about terrorism, the worst of its kind, the breeding ground of all the bomb blasts in the world.
@ Pratyush
Legalizing Poppy?????? Oh My god... we should pressurize Afghanistan govt. to legalize poppy first and then take a similar step for legalizing murder, blast, terrorism and even rape too. What about the idea to legalize corruption in India??
you are not even close to the point.
Afghanistan illegally produces more than 90% of the opium available in the world today. Local drug dealers pay in advance to farmers for their poppy yield but they often end up giving their daughters to the drug traffickers when they fail to harvest the expected yield.
Moreover, the country is still facing an internal armed conflict and is ruled by a fragile government.
There is a huge gap between the reality on the ground and the ‘remarkable progress’ claimed by western diplomats who sit in fortified compounds behind guards and concrete blocks and who never leave Kabul. The only area in which the country could really be said to have made remarkable progress is in growing the poppy.
End of the Taliban was meant to be like this?
Moreover, the country is still facing an internal armed conflict and is ruled by a fragile government.
There is a huge gap between the reality on the ground and the ‘remarkable progress’ claimed by western diplomats who sit in fortified compounds behind guards and concrete blocks and who never leave Kabul. The only area in which the country could really be said to have made remarkable progress is in growing the poppy.
End of the Taliban was meant to be like this?
For Tobysinclair.. I am feeling sorry for you if you think I am not even close to the point. If you are talking about the need of legalizing poppy in Afghanistan because the farmers don’t have enough to feed their families and no other source of income and no other alternative crop to grow. My dear you just make it legal in our neighboring country and feel the heat of the decision here in India cities..
@ Pooja
”Local drug dealers pay in advance to farmers for their poppy yield but they often end up giving their daughters to the drug traffickers when they fail to harvest the expected yield.”
Hey i think legal poppy will be a nice idea, just keeping in mind your point. i think it’ll be better for the daughters of the farmers too, they don’t have to sell their poppy to the drug traffickers rather to the govt. for medicinal use.
i didn’t know that thanks for putting that point up.
now i am more than convinced that POPPY SHOULD BE LEGALIZED IN AFGHANISTAN.
”Local drug dealers pay in advance to farmers for their poppy yield but they often end up giving their daughters to the drug traffickers when they fail to harvest the expected yield.”
Hey i think legal poppy will be a nice idea, just keeping in mind your point. i think it’ll be better for the daughters of the farmers too, they don’t have to sell their poppy to the drug traffickers rather to the govt. for medicinal use.
i didn’t know that thanks for putting that point up.
now i am more than convinced that POPPY SHOULD BE LEGALIZED IN AFGHANISTAN.
@ Tobysinclair:
obviously there’s Taliban...The irony is each time a poppy crop is destroyed,the poor becomes poorer—and more likely to support the Taliban against the US forces.
So, do you mean to say that by legalizing it, US forces will have the excuse not to take the dangerous task of going into the Afghan hinterland and destroy the crops, and this will make them popular with poppy growers of Afghanistan, so much so, that they will support them against the Taliban? Far fetched optimism, I would say.
Poppy is grown and opium is produced on an industrial scale in Afghanistan. The country itself doesn’t need the kind of amount produced for pharmaceutical causes. Unless, the whole world agrees to buy Afghan opium for pharmaceutical purposes, the farmers would then be back to square one, just as they become after their crops are destroyed.
Since this is not happening, what would the farmers do? Ask for government jobs in Kabul or support the anti-government rebels and terrorists? Growing other crops is not as rewarding as poppy and might not be feasible too in regions where poppy flourish.
Don’t you think you are contradicting your own statements?
obviously there’s Taliban...The irony is each time a poppy crop is destroyed,the poor becomes poorer—and more likely to support the Taliban against the US forces.
So, do you mean to say that by legalizing it, US forces will have the excuse not to take the dangerous task of going into the Afghan hinterland and destroy the crops, and this will make them popular with poppy growers of Afghanistan, so much so, that they will support them against the Taliban? Far fetched optimism, I would say.
Poppy is grown and opium is produced on an industrial scale in Afghanistan. The country itself doesn’t need the kind of amount produced for pharmaceutical causes. Unless, the whole world agrees to buy Afghan opium for pharmaceutical purposes, the farmers would then be back to square one, just as they become after their crops are destroyed.
Since this is not happening, what would the farmers do? Ask for government jobs in Kabul or support the anti-government rebels and terrorists? Growing other crops is not as rewarding as poppy and might not be feasible too in regions where poppy flourish.
Don’t you think you are contradicting your own statements?
If friends on the left hand side are trying to convince us that the step to legalize opium would financially help the poor farmers in Afghanistan, I would opt to come out from the discussion. Why are you people not discussing about the strong Opium mafia present at each level from cropping to selling in that country? They will get benefits not the farmers in anyway..
yes opium should be legalized in Afghanistan.
every one on the right here are concerned more or less about the leakage of opium if legalized, but on the other hand, right now 100% of the crop goes into the illicit market.
Won’t it be a better alternative to legalize the crop and reduce that 100% to any level? won’t it be an improvement?
Does any one realistically believe that under such circumstances in Afghanistan, eradication is possible? it surely is not.
Legalizing the opium will give the farmers the chance to work in a legal environment and be part of the reconstruction of their country and it will seriously disrupt the illegal market of which the Taliban is the top beneficiary. So this idea if comes into practicality will be in the best interest of Afghanistan and rest of the world.
every one on the right here are concerned more or less about the leakage of opium if legalized, but on the other hand, right now 100% of the crop goes into the illicit market.
Won’t it be a better alternative to legalize the crop and reduce that 100% to any level? won’t it be an improvement?
Does any one realistically believe that under such circumstances in Afghanistan, eradication is possible? it surely is not.
Legalizing the opium will give the farmers the chance to work in a legal environment and be part of the reconstruction of their country and it will seriously disrupt the illegal market of which the Taliban is the top beneficiary. So this idea if comes into practicality will be in the best interest of Afghanistan and rest of the world.
@ Pankaj
Read the last two paragraphs of my answer to Tobysinclair. I would like to know your opinion on that.
Read the last two paragraphs of my answer to Tobysinclair. I would like to know your opinion on that.
Anguish of all those who oppose legalising the drug trade in Afghanistan is understandable. Given the problem narcotic trade has caused in destroying many a lives, I too would have sided with them.
But here the issue goes beyond that. Its not about if you can’t beat them, join them. Last century’s superpower’s USA and Soviet Russia have meddled and burnt their fingers in Afghanistan and not matter whether you bomb the area with cluster bombs or put in occupying forces the poppy culture simply flourishes.
Lopsided global development has led to drug warlords ruling in the planets backyards, be it Latin America or Afghanistan.
The illegal opium trade is the laboratory of terrorism in Afghanistan.
Should an incentivised plan help to legalize it, the opium farmers could be saved of the clutches of the drug lords. Besides legalizing it would channelize the opium produced which could then be used in a controlled manner by the pharmaceutical industry.
It would provide a legal livelihood for a poverty stricken region and reduce the influence of gun trotting mafia ruling the lands.
But here the issue goes beyond that. Its not about if you can’t beat them, join them. Last century’s superpower’s USA and Soviet Russia have meddled and burnt their fingers in Afghanistan and not matter whether you bomb the area with cluster bombs or put in occupying forces the poppy culture simply flourishes.
Lopsided global development has led to drug warlords ruling in the planets backyards, be it Latin America or Afghanistan.
The illegal opium trade is the laboratory of terrorism in Afghanistan.
Should an incentivised plan help to legalize it, the opium farmers could be saved of the clutches of the drug lords. Besides legalizing it would channelize the opium produced which could then be used in a controlled manner by the pharmaceutical industry.
It would provide a legal livelihood for a poverty stricken region and reduce the influence of gun trotting mafia ruling the lands.
The Senlis Council argues that efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation haven’t worked in Afghanistan, therefore the entire debate of it being legalized or not, flips onto the front stage. Amidst the frustrations of the fight against narcotics in Afghanistan, legalization of poppy is the only alternative as I see. I say this coz, you can’t just cut off the poppy thing because that’s the livelihood of the people there, the poppy growing areas of the country are rearing under dry conditions, and if the residents even wish to cut out on the cultivation of opium, they would need expensive irrigation systems to switch to other crops – then farmers who do not cultivate poppy are left with only alternative of turning to cannabis cultivation instead.
Afghanistan is not developed enough to do what perhaps Turkey did, when licensing the opium farming in Turkey moved the illicit production to other parts of the world. Yes, Turkey still plays a role in the opium trade, but we no longer see Turkey as a narco-state. Therefore, trying hands out, legalizing the illicit production in yet another Asian state shouldn’t be a wrong pick either– though, I agree, legalization, will depend on the real questions about the credibility of the proposal. The production shouldn’t be legalized at the individual level, rather villages should be given the licenses – as the proposal has it already. The farmers should be encouraged to grow their crops for medicinal use, and not to produce heroin, providing them with alternative legal markets. The production and sale of these drugs should also be taxed, the resources earned should be devoted to educating the public about the health hazards associated with the drugs.
Afghanistan is not developed enough to do what perhaps Turkey did, when licensing the opium farming in Turkey moved the illicit production to other parts of the world. Yes, Turkey still plays a role in the opium trade, but we no longer see Turkey as a narco-state. Therefore, trying hands out, legalizing the illicit production in yet another Asian state shouldn’t be a wrong pick either– though, I agree, legalization, will depend on the real questions about the credibility of the proposal. The production shouldn’t be legalized at the individual level, rather villages should be given the licenses – as the proposal has it already. The farmers should be encouraged to grow their crops for medicinal use, and not to produce heroin, providing them with alternative legal markets. The production and sale of these drugs should also be taxed, the resources earned should be devoted to educating the public about the health hazards associated with the drugs.
Why legalize narcotic production in one country and not here, it’s absurd. If you take drugs away from the drug smugglers I’m sure they will find something else. Big pharmaceuticals probably have areas/farms where they can grow the stuff in a controlled manner.
This probably is the least of Afghans concerns presently. But the fact that legalizing means encouraging more farmers to grow it, implying more raw material, leading to reduction in its price. Yes, great idea indeed! legalize it & destroy the world along with Afghanistan. I agree with Jonty totally but have one qualm though & that is in regards to how wonderfully US of A is doing in Latin America. I understand that it might be for greater good or w/e other reason, but when will they ever learn to keep there noses out of matters of other nations. US need not do anything & I for one would like to see them manage what they have in their own borders. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan or any other place. It ain’t your country, so stay out US
@ Jonty
Your points are valid. If the fundamentalist Taliban, who swore by the Koran, could not clean up the opium trade, the by legalizing it is only trying to retrieve what otherwise is a hopeless situation.
@ Pratyush
India is already bearing the brunt of the Afghan opium trade as one of the major transit route for the processed opium goes through Indian territory. Many drug hauls caught by Indian authorities have tracked the source back to the farms of Afghanistan.
No matter what the argument, the object remains to stop the dangerous opium trade that originates in these lawless lands.
Illegal and legal are terms where law and order can be enforced. And much of Afghanistan is outlaw country.
Legalising the trade would simply mean that the farmers get a profitable price for the crop whereas the produce could be handled in a controlled manner and the supply lines of the drug lords get diverted.
Under conditions were terrorists or drug lords coerce farmers to grow opium, the situation is worse and would need to be militarily secured to provide safety and security for any kind of trade to take off.
Your points are valid. If the fundamentalist Taliban, who swore by the Koran, could not clean up the opium trade, the by legalizing it is only trying to retrieve what otherwise is a hopeless situation.
@ Pratyush
India is already bearing the brunt of the Afghan opium trade as one of the major transit route for the processed opium goes through Indian territory. Many drug hauls caught by Indian authorities have tracked the source back to the farms of Afghanistan.
No matter what the argument, the object remains to stop the dangerous opium trade that originates in these lawless lands.
Illegal and legal are terms where law and order can be enforced. And much of Afghanistan is outlaw country.
Legalising the trade would simply mean that the farmers get a profitable price for the crop whereas the produce could be handled in a controlled manner and the supply lines of the drug lords get diverted.
Under conditions were terrorists or drug lords coerce farmers to grow opium, the situation is worse and would need to be militarily secured to provide safety and security for any kind of trade to take off.
@ Bharat:
Who would collect the taxes from the sale of legalized opium? Hamid Karzai’s taxmen or the United States IRS in business suits?
Afghanistan is an uncontrolled and lawless country where warlords rule the roost. First control the country and then think of a Turkey-like solution. At this moment, it is premature articulation and nothing else to even talk about legalizing poppy cultivation.
It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.
Who would collect the taxes from the sale of legalized opium? Hamid Karzai’s taxmen or the United States IRS in business suits?
Afghanistan is an uncontrolled and lawless country where warlords rule the roost. First control the country and then think of a Turkey-like solution. At this moment, it is premature articulation and nothing else to even talk about legalizing poppy cultivation.
It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.
Should murder be legalized to control population?
Coleridge wrote under opium. Rabindranath got the Nobel Prize without ever going to school. Does that mean opium is necessary for writing poetry or for that matter are schools redundant? None even thinks of these things.
Who has ever heard of legalizing poison to legally earn money?
Coleridge wrote under opium. Rabindranath got the Nobel Prize without ever going to school. Does that mean opium is necessary for writing poetry or for that matter are schools redundant? None even thinks of these things.
Who has ever heard of legalizing poison to legally earn money?
coleridge may have written under opium but that doesn’t set him in comparison to
tagore....what coleridge went thru in life made opium a part of him!!!
back to the topic, i think...it shud be legalised coz that wud at least mean a positive trade...if banning cud have done any gud to the trade we wud have seen the effects in other parts of the world and even India...
tagore....what coleridge went thru in life made opium a part of him!!!
back to the topic, i think...it shud be legalised coz that wud at least mean a positive trade...if banning cud have done any gud to the trade we wud have seen the effects in other parts of the world and even India...
As we all know that the Afghanistan’s poppy production consitutes to almost 93% of the opium across the globe which in turn is the main crop for producing drugs. In my opinion legalizing poppy in regards to benefitting the farmers will be a dangerous move to the nation at large. There could be some basis when it is said that legalizing poppy will take the manufacturing and distribution away from the criminal gangs and give sole benefits to farmers, but what one always forgets that criminal gangs will still be able to illegaly produce poppy and sell them at a cheaper rate than the legalized ones.
If the nation would legalize poppy, then it would have to alongside impose a lot of rules and regulations into combatting illegal producers, which looks far fetched especially in a nation like afghanistan where terror rules and illegal acts occur without anyones knowledge. No matter how much the nation tries, the illegal markets will still exist. There is no doubt that legal products in this case poppy, will always be sold illegally because huge amount of profits are then garnered.
No matter how much the government tries, even after legalizing poppy, the farmers will still be deprived of their benefits because the terrorists surviving in the country will just keep the farmers on gun point and take away all their benefits in a flash. What will the government do then when the nation will be kept at gun point. Why should Afghanistan be given chances of being even more unsafe?. By legalizing poppy they will be curbing a huge amount of income that comes to criminal gangs, which those mindfreaks would never appreciate. This may irk them even more and innocent lives of farmers may be at jeopardy.
Afghanistan needs to be first brought under some control as a country. Peace needs to be incorporated with firm laws and rules. Assurance that the nation can bridge their economic gap by legalizing poppy needs to be firstly analysed in regards to lives of many. The nation does not need laws which will put the citizens into more trouble, they need laws which will take them out of the quicksand that too safely. Why should poppy in a country like Afghanistan be legalized when everyone knows that lives can be at stake? I dont see the need for it, and those who do think twice you may be pushing the nation more into troubled waters than getting them out of it.
If the nation would legalize poppy, then it would have to alongside impose a lot of rules and regulations into combatting illegal producers, which looks far fetched especially in a nation like afghanistan where terror rules and illegal acts occur without anyones knowledge. No matter how much the nation tries, the illegal markets will still exist. There is no doubt that legal products in this case poppy, will always be sold illegally because huge amount of profits are then garnered.
No matter how much the government tries, even after legalizing poppy, the farmers will still be deprived of their benefits because the terrorists surviving in the country will just keep the farmers on gun point and take away all their benefits in a flash. What will the government do then when the nation will be kept at gun point. Why should Afghanistan be given chances of being even more unsafe?. By legalizing poppy they will be curbing a huge amount of income that comes to criminal gangs, which those mindfreaks would never appreciate. This may irk them even more and innocent lives of farmers may be at jeopardy.
Afghanistan needs to be first brought under some control as a country. Peace needs to be incorporated with firm laws and rules. Assurance that the nation can bridge their economic gap by legalizing poppy needs to be firstly analysed in regards to lives of many. The nation does not need laws which will put the citizens into more trouble, they need laws which will take them out of the quicksand that too safely. Why should poppy in a country like Afghanistan be legalized when everyone knows that lives can be at stake? I dont see the need for it, and those who do think twice you may be pushing the nation more into troubled waters than getting them out of it.
@ jonty
”Afghanistan is an uncontrolled and lawless country where warlords rule the roost. First control the country and then think of a Turkey-like solution. At this moment, it is premature articulation and nothing else to even talk about legalizing poppy cultivation.
It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.”
this is very strange you want the country to be controlled and why do you think we are talking about legalizing opium. there’s no way anyone will ask for such a solution if it would not have been Afghanistan.
OK let’s think the country is governed by a Govt. (the capable one) but do you think there won’t be any heroine that’s not made out of Afghan opium?
legalizing opium in Afghanistan is not the ’premature articulation’ it is the need of the hour in a country that is crying hard for peace with no options in hand. if the opium had been legalized from the very day the US troops entered Afghanistan, it would have been much easier to fight the war against terror and helping the country to rebuild itself.
if you think ”It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.” then how can you oppose legalizing of it at the first place.
@ rhapsodysinger
”Who has ever heard of legalizing poison to legally earn money?”
by the way have you ever heard of someone getting high and driving his car into a family and killing everyone in the car? NO? what about a drunk? Sounds stupid? yeah that’s right that’s what it seemed to me after reading your views
legalizing opium is the key to the better future of Afghanistan.
”Afghanistan is an uncontrolled and lawless country where warlords rule the roost. First control the country and then think of a Turkey-like solution. At this moment, it is premature articulation and nothing else to even talk about legalizing poppy cultivation.
It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.”
this is very strange you want the country to be controlled and why do you think we are talking about legalizing opium. there’s no way anyone will ask for such a solution if it would not have been Afghanistan.
OK let’s think the country is governed by a Govt. (the capable one) but do you think there won’t be any heroine that’s not made out of Afghan opium?
legalizing opium in Afghanistan is not the ’premature articulation’ it is the need of the hour in a country that is crying hard for peace with no options in hand. if the opium had been legalized from the very day the US troops entered Afghanistan, it would have been much easier to fight the war against terror and helping the country to rebuild itself.
if you think ”It hardly matters to the growers that a ban is in place and it wouldn’t matter to them much either if it is legalized.” then how can you oppose legalizing of it at the first place.
@ rhapsodysinger
”Who has ever heard of legalizing poison to legally earn money?”
by the way have you ever heard of someone getting high and driving his car into a family and killing everyone in the car? NO? what about a drunk? Sounds stupid? yeah that’s right that’s what it seemed to me after reading your views
legalizing opium is the key to the better future of Afghanistan.
Khushi is perfectly right about Coleridge & for my part i believe he was much better as a writer than Tagore. So did another writer Wilkie Collins, who wrote quite well too. Both Coleridge did it to relieve himself from facial Neuralgia & Collins from arthritis. They did this in times when Opium was believed to be a wonder drug & little was known about it.
even the likes of Keats & many other Romantic poets used it as they believed it enhanced their imagination & writing skills. Now considering that, probably U & me & many others here should also be on it. :-)
even the likes of Keats & many other Romantic poets used it as they believed it enhanced their imagination & writing skills. Now considering that, probably U & me & many others here should also be on it. :-)
@ Ananickole
Did you know that poppy is legally cultivated in many parts of the world including India for its opium for the remedial drug industry? India has one of the strictest anti-narcotic laws in the world. However, some of the controlled substance do however get smuggled out for production of illegal psychotropic substances, primarily heroin. But then, India is not a drug exporting country. Opium farmers in India have many other options to choose from.
On the other hand, there is nothing to call as a valid government in Afghanistan. Hence, banning or legalizing a crop will have absolutely no effect on its mass cultivation for illegal drugs to be spread throughout the world. Hence, the question itself whether it should be legalized in Afghanistan is a farcical one. We can talk about this only when a proper government there, where the writ of the state is followed in every nook and corner of the country in letter and spirit.
The only reason I see behind this whole debate in the West whether poppy cultivation should be legalized is just to get the drug monkey off the backs of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. This is a lame excuse.
I would also like to have a refuting argument from you on my third comment from the top, esp the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs. It would be interesting to know your views.
@ attitude: Coleridge a better writer than Tagore? Did you read Tagore’s original work in Bangla to compare his work with Coleridge? As it didn’t require Tagore to go to school to earn a Nobel prize in literature, it doesn’t take a person with a degree in literature to have an opinion on literary matters, right? So, though I may not agree with you, I have no choice but to respect your opinion.
@ khushi Are you on opium? Do you have any idea what you are saying? I see no point in your comment here. If you meant to say banning didn’t do good for the trade and legalizing it would result in positive trade, should I take it as a point of view from a heroin or opium addict?
Did you know that poppy is legally cultivated in many parts of the world including India for its opium for the remedial drug industry? India has one of the strictest anti-narcotic laws in the world. However, some of the controlled substance do however get smuggled out for production of illegal psychotropic substances, primarily heroin. But then, India is not a drug exporting country. Opium farmers in India have many other options to choose from.
On the other hand, there is nothing to call as a valid government in Afghanistan. Hence, banning or legalizing a crop will have absolutely no effect on its mass cultivation for illegal drugs to be spread throughout the world. Hence, the question itself whether it should be legalized in Afghanistan is a farcical one. We can talk about this only when a proper government there, where the writ of the state is followed in every nook and corner of the country in letter and spirit.
The only reason I see behind this whole debate in the West whether poppy cultivation should be legalized is just to get the drug monkey off the backs of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. This is a lame excuse.
I would also like to have a refuting argument from you on my third comment from the top, esp the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs. It would be interesting to know your views.
@ attitude: Coleridge a better writer than Tagore? Did you read Tagore’s original work in Bangla to compare his work with Coleridge? As it didn’t require Tagore to go to school to earn a Nobel prize in literature, it doesn’t take a person with a degree in literature to have an opinion on literary matters, right? So, though I may not agree with you, I have no choice but to respect your opinion.
@ khushi Are you on opium? Do you have any idea what you are saying? I see no point in your comment here. If you meant to say banning didn’t do good for the trade and legalizing it would result in positive trade, should I take it as a point of view from a heroin or opium addict?
@ attitude....times change, and its better only if with the time even we change...
u urself said it...it was considered as a wonder drug...in those times...so they did it and it was justifiable just like practises like sati were also justifiable at one point of time!!!!
and yea...the debate isnt abt doin it or not...bt the pros and cons of legalisation of the trade....!!!
:)
u urself said it...it was considered as a wonder drug...in those times...so they did it and it was justifiable just like practises like sati were also justifiable at one point of time!!!!
and yea...the debate isnt abt doin it or not...bt the pros and cons of legalisation of the trade....!!!
:)
@jonty...
haha...u jump on conclusions too fast...like u i dnt see any point in ur questions and points...however, i dint get down to such a ridiculous statemnt !!!
haha...u jump on conclusions too fast...like u i dnt see any point in ur questions and points...however, i dint get down to such a ridiculous statemnt !!!
Neither do i have any degree in literature mate... Just to each his own... I know no Bangla, so I’m limited to English translation. While, ideologically i like Tagore, it is his literary style that I don’t take too as I have grown up reading more of Keats & Milton. But to each his own. By the way, are we still on Poppy... err... I mean the topic?
Phew! I never compared the three:
Murder:Coleridge:Tagore
They are all separate instances...
All I want to say is that mates let’s forget Afghanistan and see what drugs are doing to our kids here. And as for Afghanistan let Afgans handle that. We are being like the US trying to decide on them.
Oh , while we banter, we are robbed by our pretty pol politicians.
Good night all.
Murder:Coleridge:Tagore
They are all separate instances...
All I want to say is that mates let’s forget Afghanistan and see what drugs are doing to our kids here. And as for Afghanistan let Afgans handle that. We are being like the US trying to decide on them.
Oh , while we banter, we are robbed by our pretty pol politicians.
Good night all.
One more thing, I do not really think that any of us here on the net or in this earth can write either one line of Christabel or Geetanjali.
Better just respect them. Coleridge had personal troubles, so did tagore ref. Dyson’s bio on him.
it is not right to talk of these two without being experts in them. we tend to simplify everything mocking scholarship and intellectualism ironically both worshipped the intellect. read Coleridge’s biographia literaria. tagore in a manner was rereading dynamically Coleridge. see Harold Bloom’s anxiety and Influence.
Hehehehe haahahaha.
Better just respect them. Coleridge had personal troubles, so did tagore ref. Dyson’s bio on him.
it is not right to talk of these two without being experts in them. we tend to simplify everything mocking scholarship and intellectualism ironically both worshipped the intellect. read Coleridge’s biographia literaria. tagore in a manner was rereading dynamically Coleridge. see Harold Bloom’s anxiety and Influence.
Hehehehe haahahaha.
Isn’t it interesting to see Afghan drug lords, US special forces, Afghan poppy farmers, Tagore, Coleridge, Dyson, Keats, Geetanjali, Khunsa, Ortega in a single thread? :-)
Add your Comment
Pharmaceutical processing at village level does not seem to be an economical option, with the companies spending huge amounts on creating processing facilities in a number of villages, training personnel and buying the crop at hefty prices, the financial outlay will be huge. No company will come forward for such an investment in volatile and war torn Afghanistan.