Thanks for the reply Artbrooks. I didn't realise that natural opium derivatives had been superceded by synthetic ones. I guess that answers my original question.

But then can the problem of getting them to grow other crops be solved by the actions that Teribus is suggesting or will the Taliban 'persuade' them to carry on growing poppies?

I must confess to not understanding the political situation out there, but so many countries are putting in so much in the way of money and military and we don't seem to be getting very far.

Do the majority of Afghanis want our help or would they rather we went home? Are we helping the majority in a struggle for freedom or or we trying to impose our ideas of what's good for Afghanistan?

Be interested to hear from people who know rather than relying on the press/government.