from a contributor to Altercation (altercation.msnbc.com - great blog!):
3. The Afghan poppy crop is leading to a global heroin problem. What would it cost to buy the ENTIRE Afghan poppy crop before it is sold to heroin smugglers? If one is to believe a 2004 US gov't report, only $50 million.
"The $10 billion U.S. annual retail heroin market thus generates about $1 billion in imports, of which roughly $50 million goes to poppy growers."
Why not send U.S. agents into the ripening fields to out-bid the terrorists? Moralistic congressmen who feel it's better to spend $473 million on "eradication" rather than simply buying the crop and destroying it for a fraction of the cost.
Cut off terrorist funding (much of the drug funds go to these goups) and give the local farmers an incentive to grow a more constructive product, all while saving the taxpayers money.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7180898/#050315
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