Trying to eradicate opium in Afghanistan was a dumb idea, as I said back in 2004. Attempting to take away the only cash crop for the majority of Afghans guaranteed they would go against us. It would have made more sense and been cheaper in the long run to buy it from them at better than market prices.
Real question: is opium still a cash crop if it is sold legally for the production of pharmaceutical narcotics?
That has been the best idea for defeating the drug culture for at least 45 years now. And it will never happen because there is far too much money involved.
all that would of happen is that the drug buyers running the drugs would offer more money.... burn the crop was the best bet.