US joins battle to destroy poppies

Published Date: 14 October 2008 THE United States will take its war on drugs to a new level next year, by using its ground troops to help eradicate Afghan poppy fields, in a sign of growing frustration at the British-led efforts to curb opium cultivation. Just days after Nato agreed to let its 50,000-strong force target heroin labs and smuggling networks, The Scotsman has learned that a handful of American soldiers are also training to take part in eradication missions. It is the first time forei gn troops will put "boots on the ground" to support poppy eradication in Afghanistan. Western diplomats are hopeful it will make it harder for corrupt officials and narco-barons to dodge eradication through bribes or violence, as has happened in the past. Until now, Nato and the US have refused to get involved with eradication... [read full story]