Well written - poor little mite... *hugs*

the entire economy of Afghanistan relies on their poppy growing which is easier and more profitable for them than growing wheat.
the only way to fight this is to decriminalise the use here. big dealers will not bother distributing drugs if there is no profit in it.
My sympathy for your loss. You are one of many grandparents in the same situation.

Many years ago..70's..i met a man in the "front yards" at Goulburn Gaol (punishment yards that could house monkey's at any zoo..they are identical)That man was Bernie Mathews.I was just a kid and arrived on the doorsteps of hell 12 month's earlier without an iota of violence in me.By the time i met Bernie i was literaly quite capable of murder.That is testimony to the brutality,hatred,paranoia and tension these hell hole's called prison's impress upon there population.Bernie taught me to control my anger,my frustration..i did and still do today.But that anger will never die.We shared a front yard and even a cell for a short time Bernie.I hope you remember me.I will never forget you.I was nothing in the pecking order of prison life but you still treated me like a father would a son and unlike so many other's in there asked for nothing in return.

The highlight of our day was to mock the screws in the tower overlooking our yards.I can verify the bashings because i have been bashed myself...Grafton,Maitland,Long Bay,Goulburn..i was hospitalised in Grafton Hospital from a prison bashing with head wound's..my crime...i walked through the gate and when asked my name i told them my name.That was it..enough to get a bashing.Good luck to you Bernie Mathews i will never forget you.

Peter Emerson