Afghanistan churns out yet another record crop of opium

The latest news out of Afganistan. Thank gawd something positive is happening there. At least opium and heroin prices will be dropping.

Opium production in Afghanistan, which provides more than 90 percent of the world's heroin, broke all records in 2006, reaching a historic high despite ongoing U.S.-sponsored eradication efforts, the Bush administration reported yesterday.

In addition to a 26 percent production increase over past year -- for a total of 5,644 metric tons -- the amount of land under cultivation in opium poppies grew by 61 percent. Cultivation in the two main production provinces, Helmand in the southwest and Oruzgan in central Afghanistan, was up by 132 percent.

White House drug policy chief John Walters called the news "disappointing."

Walters was disappointed because they were shooting for a 150% increase in production.

Now can Bush do something about the price of oil? Just asking.

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