How realiable is Aljazzera? He is a UN link on this one. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2023/November/...

al Jazeera is extremely reputable and has some of, if not the strongest coverage of the area

It's hard to argue the negative externalities of heroin production are somehow okay because of a "vulnerable population that has long depended on the poppy trade for their livelihood."

Sounds eerily similar to the "crime is okay depending on your wealth level" nonsense.

The article does not argue that "the negative externalities of heroin production are somehow okay"

Apparently this is something that the Taliban hates more so than anyone has hated it before.

They seem to be well acquainted with that hatred thing.

Looks like that is not surprisingly one of the most thorough ways of exterminating a species or group of living things.

I can't believe these evil, evil people hate an industry that operates on mass addiction and suffering. These vicious brutes exterminated the poor opium farmers by giving them opportunities to grow food crops.

I was thinking more of the 95% numerical extermination of the poppies themselves, not exactly the farmers.

I imagine the farmers are still out standing in their field, just not a poppy field any more.

Food crops are bound to be more sensible from what we know now.