Article

2006-05-28 Afghanistan

Afghan parliament wants opium lobby thrown out

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Posted by Fred 2006-05-28 00:00|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This may eventually prove to be an effective short-term solution. Basically, to nationalize the opium industry. That is, by removing the criminal element from growing and harvesting opium, the Afghan government can quickly export a valuable crop, and use the proceeds to create more legitimate agriculture and development.

Farmers would gladly take a legal percentage, which would actually probably be higher than what they now net, after bribes, extortion and other costs. In turn, all the government would have to do is to survey their crop, to prevent skimming, and to protect the farmers from those who want to lean on them.

Ironically, the biggest opponent to such a plan would be the US and European pharma industries, who sell huge amounts of less-effective painkillers around the world at great profit.

There was a problem in past with morphine for medical use, in that doctors would carry a large amount around with them for cardiac use. However, it was discovered that atropine has a synergistic effect with morphine, so a smaller quantity of both can be used as a highly effective combination. This would be the most practical use in 3rd and 4th world countries, without huge amounts of morphine flowing around in an uncontrolled manner.

The bottom line is that it could become such a profitable enterprise in Afghanistan that it could pay for their entire national redevelopment in the space of a decade or more, allowing them to diversify away from opium.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-05-28 00:38|| 2006-05-28 00:38|| Front Page Top

#2 The power to tax is the power to destroy...

Posted by Fred 2006-05-28 01:37|| 2006-05-28 01:37|| Front Page Top

#3 Switch opium for "grass" in this cartoon and it just about states the situation of the Senlis Council..

Posted by 3dc 2006-05-28 10:30|| 2006-05-28 10:30|| Front Page Top

#4 Hear, Hear 3dc.
Is this the blue blog?

Posted by HalfEmpty 2006-05-28 11:42|| 2006-05-28 11:42|| Front Page Top

#5 Fab Furry Freak Bros.

Posted by 3dc 2006-05-28 14:48|| 2006-05-28 14:48|| Front Page Top

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