Afghan Smack

Exactly, Jsquare. Drugs sell themselves, they really don't need any help. Theres around a million estimated heroin junkies in the US, and in reality ,probably many more than that. A tip to the Afghan poppy farmers, get inside America's pockets with your poppy trade and we will send air force one to pick up the president's smack. Legalize it, this drug's legal status contributes considerably to utter despair it leaves in its path, moreso than any drug. This is the most addictive substance in the world known today, no other street drug presents such violent withdrawal symptoms leaving the addict in a horrible pattern of beahviors. There still is no dignity in treatments for this type of dependance either, but thats for another pod.

I really didn't like the tone and one-sided perspective of this pod. Kaj, your reporting came across like a typical holier-than-thou journalist pointing the finger at the bad guys and not hinting at the complexity of the issue. Even you yourself mentioned the bigger picture of the economy, that if all or much of the poppy was wiped out that the Taliban would have a greater hold on the country and therefore be a bad thing http://tinyurl.com/4rq9ku Also, how about a piece from the other angle? Why the high demand for Heroin in the first place? A lot of kids start doing drugs because they're depressed and don't have affordable healthcare or supportive parents or community. Why the overpopulation of non-violent drug offenders in prison? Most of these types of prisoners were busted with an Eighth bag of dope or less in their possession, a lot of which are users, not dealers. Just some suggestions. And, in the humble words of Kevin Miller, "But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong."

Great pod!
Great example of US and UK contradicting free market policy and globalization.Other countries are allowed to sell what they want so long as the US and UK benefit. Should Afghans try to sell drugs to Americans and others who want them, they are unfairly restricted by the world's watchdogs America and England. These countries need to own up to the fact that a "war on drugs has to be fought first and foremost at home," not in Afghanistan destroying people's livelihoods and creating enemies. Has anybody seen American Gangster, by the way? Not just another gangster movie, an insightful take on how drug policy in America enabled drug use to prosper. Yes fictional, but nonetheless insightful.

Funny comment Darren. I have no such similar comments on Darren because Ive never seen him on camera. In fact we have been trying to get him to make a cameo in one of his pieces for a long time, but it doesnt seem to have happened yet. Which is a shame, because the guy produces great stuff. Check out the White Lobster piece from Nicaragua. Great pod, only problem- No Darren!

This was the first piece I saw with future vanguard team member Kaj. I was like who is this dude? Then I found out he's pretty bad ass.Apparently, however, much headway hasn't been made in curbing Afghanistan's poppy production. 2007 is set to be a record breaking year...see link below...