8 U.S. troopers died of opiate overdose in Afghanistan

Investigative reports have shown that 8 U.S. soldiers have died from a heroin overdose or by mixing prescription and other opiate drugs during 2010/2011.

The United States Army Criminal Investigation Command has released a report on 56 U.S. soldiers who were investigated on suspicion of using, possessing or distributing heroin and other opiates. Of the 56 soldiers, 8 have died from an overdose.

CNN reports that the death of the 8 soldiers was shown to be caused by heroin toxicity or by taking a mix of opiate and prescription drugs.

Statistics prepared by the military also indicate that the number of U.S. soldiers based in Afghanistan, who tested positive for heroin has risen from 10 in 2002 up to 116 in 2010... read full article.

Photos released of US soldiers posing with Afghan body parts

A U.S. soldier has released photos of soldiers posing with Afghan body parts. He released them to the Los Angeles Times to draw attention to the breakdown in leadership and discipline in the U.S. Army.

In yet another example of a series of severe breaches of discipline by U.S. troops, which has dangerously undermined the U.S. position with the Afghan people, a U.S. soldier, on condition of anonymity, has released 18 photos to the Los Angeles Times.

The soldier served in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne's 4th Brigade Combat Team from Ft. Bragg, N.C. He feels the photos show a breakdown in discipline and leadership and that this compromises the safety of U.S. troops.

He hopes that publication of these photos will ensure that security shortcomings at 2 U.S. bases in Afghanistan in 2010 will not be repeated... read full story and view video.