Pubdate: Thu, 29 Sep 2005 Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB) Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal Contact: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134 Author: CanWest News Service Referenced: The Senlis Council study http://www.senliscouncil.net/feasibility_study Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Afghanistan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/opium CANADIAN SENATOR FAVOURS LEGAL OPIUM OTTAWA - A Canadian senator who led a special committee on illegal drugs says Afghanistan should legalize the production of opium for medical use. Senator Pierre Nolin told an international conference in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, that such a policy would curb illegal opium production and help supply a legitimate medical need. "Adopting such a public policy would kill two birds with one stone," a news release quotes Nolin as telling the Senlis Council, an international drug policy think-tank. The council recently produced a feasibility study supporting the legal production of medical opiates in Afghanistan. Nolin said only Australia, France, Spain, India and Turkey are legally allowed to produce opium, but the International Narcotics Control Board has reported a shortage of medical opiates. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake