Afghanistan has become Riddled with Drug Addicts

War torn and covered by a blanket of despair, the country of Afghanistan has become riddled with drug addicts. A staggering number of addicts estimated to be 1.5 million, 120,000 of which are females (according to the Ministry of Narcotics) can be seen across the country. The Opium crop in Afghanistan is believed to be the main ingredient in 93 percent of the world's Heroin; despite that fact, there are many advocates attempting to legalize Opium crops throughout the country. The International Council on Security and Development (ICOS) has been promoting the legal cultivation of opium for many years. ICOS claims to have no affiliation with global drug companies trying to get a hold on the market for morphine. "Yet ICOS is no longer welcomed by the Afghan government. And, despite ICOS claims, the International Narcotics Control Board counters there is no worldwide shortage of heroin for medical purposes. Nineteen countries legally produce it; only India exports it." according to The Toronto Star.

In the last eight years both the United States and Great Britain have set out to eradicate the Opium fields in Afghanistan; however, despite their best efforts it has done little to curtail the enormous market. "Washington last month announced it was pulling out of the eradication scheme" despite the fact that 18 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are believed to be Opium-free. Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, has said eradication "didn't reduce the amount of money the Taliban got by one dollar. It is almost as if the United States is given up the fight against Opium cultivation and this can only do more harm than good on a global scale.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan's domestic drug problem continues out of control while people continue to prosper off the drug. There are very few drug treatment facilities in Afghanistan and entire families are hooked on the drug in one form or another. "These men – and the addicted women shuttered inside their houses, routinely given opium during childbirth, even blowing heroin fumes into the mouths of colicky babies – can see no further than their next fix". Mothers and fathers try and get their children into treatment despite being addicted themselves. Heroin is a much more potent refined form of a Opium which has caused an epidemic in Afghanistan and many other countries as well.

Fortunately for those who suffer from addiction in America the option for treatment is readily available for those who want it. Please share your thoughts with us regarding this subject...

Pregnant Woman Arrested Trafficking Heroin in Laos

A pregnant woman from Great Britain, arrested for trafficking heroin in Laos, will be sent home to serve her sentence. Samantha Orobator, age 20, is believed to have artificially inseminated herself while incarcerated. Heroin trafficking is an offense punishable by death in Laos, but, Laos has a law against executing pregnant women; in June Orobator pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. Great Britain and Laos made a pact last May that allows for Orobator to be extradited to finish out her sentence; according to the AP, "The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding last week bringing the agreement into force."

Samantha Orobator got a second chance that many people trafficking drugs never get; it will be interesting to see how much time she serves considering the difference in punishment from one country to the next.

Orabator's mother, Jane, has been fighting for a year to have Samantha extradited to England. "Police said they found 1.5 pounds (680 grams) of heroin in 68 capsules on Orobator's body when she was arrested last August at Vientiane airport on her way to Australia." Despite the fact that Laos expects Orobator to finish the rest of her life sentence in England, it is highly unlikely that she will. They need to get Orobator to England as soon as possible, she will be 36 weeks pregnant on Aug. 12 and will not be able to take an international flight.

All of this should be a wake up call to Samantha Orobator and her family, a baby is probably the only thing that saved her life. When she gets out of prison, which she undoubtedly will, I hope that she can find it in herself to be a mother to the child. Second chances some times come once in a life time and you can only gamble with your future so many times before something bad happens.

I will try to follow this story and keep my readers informed on whether or not Samantha takes advantage of her second chance. Let me know what you think.