Afghan Poppy Industry @ The Issue

2007 will be a record year for opium growth in Afghanistan. Illegal drugs derived from the extensive Afghan poppy fields make their way all over the world and have started to influence drug policy in many concerned countries. Effective strategy for dealing with the opium production, which many suspect funds the Taliban, is not as easy as burning fields and arresting farmers. Growing poppy is closely integrated with Afghan culture and government and some strategists fear that harsh actions against the growers may push more of the populace against NATO forces.