FUNGUS AGAINST HEROIN

USA and UK adopt scientific discovery from Soviet era Scientists during the Soviet era discovered that the fungus Pleosparafungus was effective in destroying the opium poppy plant, from which heroin is produced. Experiments carried out in Uzbekistan proved that the fungus attacked the root of the poppy, destroying the plant and wiping out entire plantations. This biological weapon against drug-induced problems in today's cities around the world has been accepted by the USA and the UK. Both countries are investing in the research which was started in Uzbekistan. Now the plan is being supervised by the United Nations Drug Control Programme. The idea is to spray this fungus over the poppy fields of Afghanistan, the world's number one heroin supplier. However, for this, the consent of the Taliban would be needed. This strategy, if adopted, would be part of a multi-faceted attack on drug abuse by the United Nations, starting with the raw material supply and attacking the chain of supply along the line, from point of origin, through to end user. Coupled with this, investment in education is of equal importance. If there is no demand, the supply ceases to exist. The best way to prevent social problems caused by drugs is to educate today's children not to become tomorrow's addicts. This is only possible if the family works as a unit. Nowadays with both parents working more and more hours, children are often left alone too long and if they fall into the wrong company, an alternative family can seem more attractive than the nuclear one. This alternative family can, and almost always does, have disastrous consequences.

Tim Bancroft-Hinchey Correspondent of PRAVDA.Ru Lissabon