PAY FOR POPPIES

An article on Page A4 in Thursday's paper about Afghanistan is
somewhat mystifying. It concerns the proliferating growth of the
poppy crop and our quest to decrease its production. Ordinary Afghan
farmers produce the crop as they have for centuries to raise
families and pay their bills. Although unlawful, the growing of
poppies is integrated in Afghan culture. The customer base for opium
use covers the globe from the most affluent to the most destitute
among us and wouldn't be profitable otherwise.

So, given that this Afghan trade amounts to $4 billion a year as
mentioned, instead of trying to change culture (as we have in other
countries) why not pay the poppy farmers $5 billion a year (what's
another couple of billion when we're expending billions a week in
Iraq)? They'd be happy with the 25 percent increase, we'd have the
poppy and the militants wouldn't have extra cash for weapons.

One more radical thought: Instead of destroying the stuff, give the
resultant opium away -- for free. This would undercut the economic
base of the product through illegal American drug dealers and
eliminate the need of less fortunate addicts to steal and murder for
money to sustain the habit.

Unfortunately, unless we eliminate the need there will always be
illegal drugs, whether the customers be rich or poor.

JIM KERRIGAN

Rockledge