Afghanistan - The Toughest Battle - Opium - 17 May 07

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr looks at the problem of opium addiction in Afghanistan where the UN says there are one million addicts and that more than 600,000 of these are under 15.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• al
• jazeera
• afghanistan
• zeina
• khodr
• opium
• addiction
• drugs
• children
• addict

[jondavidgriffin]

interestingly, George Bush's Skull and Bones society was built on the opium trade... as was the British Empire.

Maybe thats why Afghan opium production has risen 2000% since we arrived.

[zoetropez]

I spent six months in Kabul City helping rebuild Ghazi Stadium, forming soccer teams and trying to help the people rebuild/make their lives better. I've been to Bagrami Provence, Surobi, Musayi, Paghman, Shakar Dira, Mir Bacha Kat and Kalakan. I was shot at numerous times, but 99% of the people I met were warm and very hospitable. There are some areas where the people barely get by and basically eat dirt. I'd say that makes the place pretty lousy. They are victims of the US and the Taliban.

[KATOMATE01]

@jondavidgriffin your wrong...yes opium production rose 2000% after our occupation, but was it because we were trading in it? NO....it was because under that Taliban opium production was not only illegal, but ungodly, so they were very strict about punishing people who grew them. However, the Taliban also relied on opium money to fund their organization, so they would tolerate it at some times. Growing opium is more profitable, so no more Taliban = everyone starting to grow it for more money.

[CabooseDaMan]

@KATOMATE01 opium is great for pain sure but so is weed. Not as good but I just wouldent think its worth it to use opium

[KATOMATE01]

@CabooseDaMan they smoke weed too...actually hash...the elderly and the working like to smoke opium because it relieves pain and allows them to work longer, the ANA and ANP like hashish better because they are young and like to get high....

[KATOMATE01]

@CabooseDaMan Opium is hard to OD on...most opium users smoke it, so it's not like a random shot of heroin that can have an infinite amount in it...You have to keep smoking and smoking and smoking to OD of opium, and eventually they would just pass out and fall asleep. I agree opium kills in that it leads to shooting heroin, but opium itself in the purest form is non-toxic.

[CabooseDaMan]

@tpvalley What was the point of that first sentence...A ton of anything would kill you, that fact that its hash makes no difference and doesnt count as a death by marijuana or hash, just a death by being crushed or suffocated. And you can easily function on marijuana as long as you dont get too stoned, just smoke a bowl and get a little faded you dont have to be completely baked.

[tpvalley]

@CabooseDaMan

u can die from hashish if u drop a ton on someone.An opium user would have to try very hard to OD, they fall asleep first, opium as I said is non toxic.

they only knew william burrows was dead (9x years) as he didnt collect his prescription.

yes it makes u high, nothing immoral about that, it stops pain and the high is connected not detached skitzoid intoxication like booze. u can function even mentaly unlike ganja.

if u live where opium grows u shouldnt have a problem with it

[CabooseDaMan]

@tpvalley How does opium NOT kill? Where are you getting these "facts" from because im pretty sure people OD on opium. Not to mention its extremely addictive. Yes it does make working better, because your high. Its much better to just smoke weed so your not addicted and it makes everything better but without all the bad side effects.

[tpvalley]

@CabooseDaMan

yes weed is better or hashish rather.

but its a missconception that opium kills, it doesnt, its illegality that kills-high price, low purity harm.

when pure its non toxic, in fact opium users often have lower blood pressure and stronger hearts and live longer and work harder; when u have no money for food or medicine u get ill, a consequence of illegality; opium makes it a joy to work, even shoveling shit, its gods tonic for a harsh life- its easiest plant to grow even.