It's time for all botanists to rise up and contrive some new animal, insect
or fungal pest to mow down these evil errant plants (opium poppies) for the
greater good of
mankind.

Don't laugh. Very often the best way to control a noxious weed is to introduce
a natural enemy which doesn't attack any other plant. This is what they are
doing to the purple loosestrife which has infested the wetlands of the
northeast US, crowding out the food plants of migratory birds. However, I
believe this is the job of the entomologists, not the botanists.
When they get through with the poppies, they can start on Phragmites.
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense." - Woody Allen