The price would go down if opium was legal. No doubt it would be made up in volume - but if the whole country was growing opium legally it might mean less influence for the Taliban - farmers wouldn’t need their “protection” or markets.
If we’re getting out of Afghanistan in two years’ time it doesn’t make much difference in strategic terms anyway.
No, it doesn’t, but it’s really stupid that the enemy telegraphed their pressure point, and we purposely avoid it. That’s just yet another case of piss-poor management of OEF.
I agree with you
The reason there is so much drug-related crime is because it is EXPENSIVE!
The reason it is expensive is because it is ILLEGAL.
If we suddenly made heroin free and legal tomorrow woould you use it? I know I wouldnt at any price. But are there some who would? sure- let them kill themselves with it- NOT MY PROBLEM ANYMORE because they are not breaking into my house to get money for their habit anymore.
Eliminate the money incentive and you eliminate the crime.
Thinking you can make it illegal to stop people from using it is like making it illegal to bite your fingernails. It won’t work.