U.S., AFGHAN GOVERNMENT NEED TO CURB OPIUM TRADE

Facilitating record production of opium poppies in Afghanistan wasn't
exactly what Americans had in mind when they led a coalition that freed the
country from rule by the Taliban regime. But that's what they got,
according to the State Department.

Despite efforts by the U.S.-backed government of Afghanistan to limit
cultivation of opium poppies, the practice was more widespread than ever
last year, according to a State Department report. Drug traffickers taking
advantage of unsettled conditions in the country were blamed. U.S.
officials say the Afghan government should not be blamed for the problem -
but, clearly, something is wrong. Heroin derived from opium poppies is, in
a way, as much a terrorist threat as the al-Qaida network under Osama bin
Laden.

The United States still maintains a substantial number of troops in
Afghanistan. Working with the Afghan government, those troops could be used
more efficiently to help curb the trade in illegal drugs. And, of course,
Afghan farmers should be given incentives to grow crops other than opium
poppies.

Illegal drug traffickers are among the most vicious foes faced by
Americans. In Afghanistan, more needs to be done to stop them.