Russia blames NATO for heroin surge from Afghanistan

[tekisui]

Source: The Daily Times

MOSCOW: The head of Russia’s federal drug control agency has accused NATO of not doing enough to curb the production of heroin in Afghanistan.

Victor Ivanov said at least 30,000 people died in Russia every year from heroin, 90% of it from Afghanistan. He blamed the Obama administration for ending a military drive to destroy opium poppy crops in Afghan fields. The US said the practice was alienating farmers and driving them to support the Taliban. This is not the first time Ivanov has lambasted NATO for failing to stamp out drug production in Afghanistan. He said leaving poppy fields guaranteed immunity for drug producers. Russia says the consequence has been a flood of cheap heroin in to Central Asia and Russia. (Courtesy BBC News)

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\03\01\story_1-3-2010_pg20_6

[baldguy]

1. Duh!