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