Pubdate: Mon, 31 Dec 2001
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Dan Kalf

U.S. HYPOCRITICAL TO GO AFTER OPIUM PRODUCERS

For the United States, the United Nations and other countries to discourage 
the opium industry in Afghanistan is selfish, ignorant and blatantly 
hypocritical.

Considering the multibillion-dollar tobacco and alcohol industries 
operating in the States, perhaps the American government should start their 
"war on drugs" at home.

Heroin is akin to nicotine in terms of addiction potential and much 
research has indicated that the risk to health and life associated with 
alcohol use exceeds that of heroin.

It is unfortunate that the legal status of available drugs is not 
synchronized with their risk to personal health and well-being. Strict 
adherence by the American government to their own drug laws is ignorant and 
unfair to the Afghan people who depend on the opium industry for their 
livelihood.

Dan Kalf

Edmonton
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