Re: Far be it from me approve whatever the orange baboon decides
A solution was put forward about twenty years ago by respected and, sadly, much lamented economist and drugs policy academic Mark Kleiman:
1. There is a shortage of medical grade opium, particularly in the global South, leading to unnecessary high morbidity.
2. The various factions in Afghanistan have always grown opium poppies, sometimes with, sometimes without approval of whoever is in regional control.
3. The US pays to farmers to not grow poppy, so the Taliban says "grow it, and we'll take the profits".
Solution:
The US pays the farmers to grow it on behalf of Pharma, ensuring a regular supply, and ensures its safe transport, and the local warlords/Taliban get their cut.
Side benefit: there is a legitinate market for Afghan opium, denying it to the narco gangs.