I think this idea is worth serious consideration (it's been mentioned before, here, I believe).

It has several advantages over eradication programs, chief among which the farmers get their money, and the opium ends up with the good guys and not with the bad guys. The bad guys get squat. I haven't thought it through in a lot of detail yet, but my first response is "what's not to like?"

Of course, it's going to cost money, but the money goes to Afghanistan farmers. Hell, if we burned down their crops we'd probably have to cough up some compensation anyway.

No different than government cheese, really.