Source: Associated Press
Dear Editor,
Your September 15 article, “US says Bolivia, Myanmar, Venezuela still failing drug war,” successfully addresses a U.S. report that bears a dubious measure denouncing Bolivia and Venezuela’s “inadequate” steps in restricting the illicit drug trade.[1] Despite this clear overview, the article fails to acknowledge the longstanding American practice of illegal narcotics consumption. Moreover, it also neglects the substantive improvements that the Andean nations have made in curtailing the illicit drug trade in recent years.
According to the National Coca Monitoring Survey for Bolivia, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), coca cultivation in Bolivia has fallen 12 percent from 2010 to 2011.[2] Additionally, cocaine confiscation in Venezuela rose from 33 tons in 2009 to 39 tons in 2010.[3] These statistics illustrate that Bolivia and Venezuela have made a considerable effort in combating narco-trafficking, contrary to the U.S. report.
Furthermore, it is unreasonable for American authorities to condemn other nations for their less than stellar efforts when illicit drug trade primarily stems from U.S. demand. The U.S. is the world’s largest market for drug consumption. According to the World Drug Report compiled by UNODC, the United States reported 5.7 million cocaine users annually, making it the highest cocaine consumer in the world. Moreover, a third of the world’s cocaine users live within its borders.[4] Perhaps the U.S. should focus on its own troubled area of domestic demand rather than pointing fingers at others as a specious source of the problem.
Sincerely,
Siena Sheldon, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs
In response to: The Business Recorder, http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1237124/
Please accept this article as a free contribution from COHA, but if re-posting, please afford authorial and institutional attribution. Exclusive rights can be negotiated.
[1] “US Says Bolivia, Myanmar, Venezuela Still failing Drug War,” Business Recorder, September 15, 2012, http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172/1237124/.
[2] “National Coca Monitoring Survey for Bolivia,” United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, September 2012, 5.
[3] “World Drug Report-2012,” United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2012, 49.
[4] “World Drug Report-2011,” United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2011, 87.
I think its time to end the US 's Drug War and the Bullying Bribes and Black Mailing by the UIS
More then a Million Americans have but on a Law Enforcement, Fire and US Military Uniform to help keep all on earth safe and free through the years many of them gave their life. Very many of them Patriotic Volunteers that will never get a Welcome Home party.
All should pray for the love ones to be strong and to be good role models as did their love ones to this Nation and the World.
As they were and are Goodwill Ambassadors to all on Earth that we a Nation of the Brave, Strong and Free that all have the right to be free to read the Bible to get to know are Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
That Will Always Stand As One Nation.
Under GOD.
That United We Will Always Stand In GOD We Will Always Trust.
and we are a stronger Nation because of ones that serve.
May our Lord guide and watch over all that serve this One Nation under GOD,
and Bless all that help others in are Lord and Savior's name Jesus Christ.
The Lord's Little Helper
Paul Felix Schott
MY Heart and thanks to all that serve to help other and to help them to be free.
Prohibition 75 years of the most destructive misguided policy since slavery today we have more people of color in private prison labor camps than before the civil war for a plant that built this country with biblical routes in the old testament you should Google Kaneh Bosm