Afghan National Police Filmed by 82nd Airborne: Pot Before Patrol

US soldiers don't feel as threatened by the drug-dazed ANP but find them "silly" and have a hard time getting them to be quiet and to focus.
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A member of the 82nd Airborne Division recorded this clip above of Afghan National Police puffing on marijuana before going out on patrol.

In an interview with Al Jazeera correspondent Clayton Swisher, US soldiers don't feel as threatened by the drug-dazed ANP but find them "silly" and have a hard time getting them to be quiet and to focus.

This is the group that President Karzai says will be able to take over full responsibilities for security from ISAF soldiers by 2014.

These are also the units that Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin has reported so much progress in US-led ISAF training and partnering programs. My respectful difference with Senator Levin is that the Afghan military and police drug use Swisher reports on is not anomalous and more the norm.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note. Clemons can be followed on Twitter @SCClemons

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