India, Dec. 29 -- Pakistan's romance with narcotics isn't just a drug problem; it's a battle against poverty, corruption, and societal fissures.

Poppy cultivation, deeply embedded in its tribal lands, weaves a complex web of challenges demanding nuanced solutions. Beyond its national implications, the drug trade's tendrils extend globally, with North America (Canada, the US, etc.) emerging as a significant final destination for these illicit substances. The far-reaching impact underscores the urgency of addressing not only local power structures but also the international dimensions that sustain and exacerbate the issue.

The fertile crescent stretching along the Afghan border has, for centuries, nurtured the poppy. While outlawed in 197...