Poppy for dummies

I have not tried poppy/opium, but it is one of the most available drugs in Afghanistan. The poppy trade has financed many a war-load, and here, there are many. It is illegal to grow, sell and/or use, but it’s unclear how strict the fines are. Users, sellers, and farmers were sent to jail (regardless of the quantity) during the Taleban regime, which is weird considering most people really got hooked on it when the Taleban were in charge.
Poppy comes from the poppy flower. A special sickle looking knife is used to cut the stem and collect the back tar like substance that is in the stem. That tar/ash thing is the actual drug. If you rub it between your fingers, it will look like you have been handling black ash. There are a number of ways to use it, but the preferred method seems to be mixing it with your tea. Here is the catch and why I write (for those of you considering trying it) … if you mix it with warm water, you have to drink only warm liquids for a good 8 hours afterwards. If you have something cold, your stomach will distend and it will (allegedly) feel like your stomach is trying to disassociate itself with the rest of your body. I am told this is a horrible feeling. Many Afghans do use poppy regularly during the winter months, but a very small amount. While it is still a narcotic even in small quantities, it (again, apparently) makes your body feel warm. Having gone through an Afghan winter, I can attest that feeling cold sucks.