Coca Leaf: The Heritage of the Andes

sarosip, 9 April, 2008 - 23:16
TASZ Film
HCLU Films
News

A short film on the struggle of the Bolivian people for legal coca
 

In its annual report, released in March, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) called the governments of Peru and Bolivia "to initiate action without delay with a view to eliminating uses of coca leaf that are contrary to the 1961 Convention", emphasizing the role coca leaf "plays in the progression of drug dependence" and claiming that growers are supplying the international narcotic trade.  The governments of Peru and Bolivia rejected these controversial statements, saying that coca leaf is a sacred symbol for indigenous people, which should be protected as a cultural heritage of the Andes. According to a suppressed WHO report the traditional use of coca leaf has no significant health risks but it has many nutritional and medicinal benefits. The government of Bolivia calls for the revision of the status of coca, which is listed among narcotic substances like cocaine and heroin. We interviewed a representative of the Bolivian government at the 51st Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna on their position on coca leaf and its possible future regulation. Mr. Felipe L. Cáceres, the Vice Minister of Social Defence of Bolivia explained that in the view of the current government coca chewing is a cultural tradition rather than drug use, therefore it supports the legalization of coca but implements a policy of zero-cocaine. Well, even if we consider coca a drug, and don't think we should legalize coca leaf at the cost of demonizing cocaine users, we support the struggle of Bolivian people to stop the war on coca and reclaim respect for the heritage of their ancestors.

 

WATCH OUR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE AND TELL INCB WHAT YOU THINK:


 

 

Further readings on coca leaf and coca policies from the Transnational Institute:


Coca yes, cocaine, no! Legal Options
for the Coca Leaf
 

Coca or Death? Cocalero
Movements in Bolivia and Peru

 

Posted by Peter Sarosi

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 26 July, 2009 - 21:18
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Submitted by drug treatment (not verified) on 9 November, 2009 - 09:55
Narcotic products are fatal.They should be prohibited and the addicts should be treated. http://www.interventions.mobi/30/drug-treatment-is-what-you-make-out-of-it/

Submitted by Anna (not verified) on 28 December, 2009 - 14:05
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