War on opioids is of our own making

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of hearing about the war on opioid use.

We live in a state where voters made marijuana legal and Seattle is setting up injection sites for addicts. All while elderly people who endure great pain are forced to jump through hoops to get a pain medication.

It is rumored that the CIA has long been involved in illicit drug trade starting with the cocaine trade in Nicaragua (Iran-Contra) and the opium trade in Afghanistan where the majority of opium poppies are grown. Last year Afghans produced 5,500 metric tons of opium with the CIA said to being involved in much of its distribution throughout the world. It is also rumored that they make over $50 billion a year in heroin sales.

You may wonder why the war in Afghanistan has gone on for 17 years. Now you know. The CIA was overjoyed to hear that President Trump has recently authorized an increase in the number of troops there. Many of whom guard the poppy fields. In the face of all of this doesn’t the hand wringing on the use opioid drugs seem a little ridiculous?

Don Williamson

Arlington