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Environmental Consequences Of The Colombian Drug Trade. Before we get into the Colombian drug trade… how about a little history and background?. Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant.
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Environmental Consequences Of The Colombian Drug Trade
Before we get into the Colombian drug trade… how about a little history and background? Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine in its processed form is a stimulant of the central nervous system It gives you a euphoric sense ofhappinessand increased ENERGY
Geographically, the coca plant is mainly isolated to the Andes Mountains in South America. The coca plant ties its ancestry to ancient Peruvian indigenous cultures dating some 5,000 years ago. It was chewed on for rituals as well as to provide alertness and stamina. Today, coca is an important part of Andean societies. It retains its sacred value and is even brewed to make a coca tea as well as being chewed by pregnant women to ease pain during labor. The paradox of coca is its sacred nature yet its contribution to drug problems “What we say no to is drugs, but yes to the coca leaf” - Evo Morales, the first indigenous Bolivian President.
Cocaine itself is a pretty new invention. 1855 was the year and German chemist Friedrich Gaedcke was the man responsible. Notable users include intellectuals, artists and presidents; such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sigmund Freud and President Ulysses S. Grant. Companies used cocaine in their products for its energizing, anesthetic, and not to mention, addicting qualities. Eventually it was outlawed and tied to a moral panic and dominant racial and social anxieties of the early 1900’s. Today, Colombia is the world’s largest cocaine producer. Followed by Bolivia, and Peru
Colombia is in Civil War which has consequences. So what does this have to do with the environment?
The conflict in Colombia started in the 1960’s. Originally as a way to protest increasing US penetration into Latin America. However today, the guerilla groups have moved away from their ideologies of liberation and are protectors of the drug trade.
The Clinton administration gave $1.3Billion to Colombia in 2000 and sent 500 troops to train Colombian counter-narcotics forces Álvaro Uribe Vélez, president of Colombia Plan Colombia; the “answer” to the drug trade (with US funding)
Before Plan Colombia was drafted, Turkey was the largest receiver of US foreign aid in the world. The Bush Administration gave $579.6 million in aid to Colombia this year with $427.5 million going to the military and the remaining $152.2 million going to economic aid and social aid programs.
If Colombia receives all this aid, then why do people still live like, This…?
What are the alternatives? (there is still hope)
“Thousands of miles from the blood-soaked country of Colombia, yet still the perfect climate to take a toot of the white gold. Perpetuating murder, mayhem and misery is a small price to pay for some grade-A blow. Out of sight. Out of their minds!”
