Latin America: Colombian Peasants Battle Police Over Coca Crops
As Colombian President Uribe attempts a massive manual eradication of coca plants, he is running into opposition from both angry peasants and armed rebels.
Eradication
Africa: Marijuana "Tries to Destroy Our Society," Nigerian Head Narc Says
Nigeria's top narc warns of the evils of marijuana as he burns tons of the stuff, but it looks like he's fighting a losing battle.
Southwest Asia: US Plan For Aerial Spraying of Afghan Poppies on Hold -- for Now
Facing strong opposition from the Afghan government, European allies, and even elements of the US government, the State Department announced Wednesday it had given up on an aerial spraying program designed to eradicate Afghan opium poppies -- at least for now.
Marijuana: California Cops Destroy Pot Worth Twice As Much as State's Largest Legal Cash Crop, But Still Miss Vast Majority of It
Another harvest season has come and gone in California, and law enforcement is crowing about record marijuana plant seizures. The numbers are huge, but the numbers missed are bigger -- and so are the lost tax revenues.
Feature: CAMP Makes Little Headway Against California Marijuana Growers
California's Campaign Against Marijuana Planting (CAMP) has been eradicating pot plants for nearly a quarter-century. It's a losing battle.
Europe: European Parliament Committee Calls for Pilot Project on Medicinal Opium in Afghanistan
A committee of the European Parliament has called for a pilot project for diverting illicit Afghan opium to the licit medicinal market.
Latin America: Colombian Vice-President Says Aerial Eradication is Failing
The Colombian government has offered its strongest criticism yet of US-backed aerial spraying of coca crops, saying it has been a failure.
Feature: As Afghan Opium Production Goes Through the Roof, Pressure for Aerial Eradication, Increased Western Military Involvement Mounts
The UN announced last week that Afghan opium production had increased yet again. Now, pressures to combat it with aerial spraying and increased Western military involvement are mounting, but the experts say that's a path to nowhere.
Feature: In Strategy Shift, US Troops to Join Battle Against Opium in Afghanistan
Nearly six years after the US invaded Afghanistan, the Taliban is back and opium production is going through the roof. Now, the US government has announced it is ready to let the US military join the Afghan drug war.
Feature: Colombia Annouces Shift to Manual Eradication of Coca Crops
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has announced that his government will deemphasize aerial spraying of coca crops and emphasize manual eradication. The move comes as Congress ponders ways to cut funding for the drug war in Colombia.