Just Say Coca

The United States has not responded officially to the legalization campaign, but it is unlikely to support it, after spending so much to destroy coca. Bolivian officials say controls could be put in place to stop the diversion of coca to the cocaine trade, and that a legal coca industry would reduce the supply available to traffickers. Roberto Laserna, a Bolivian social scientist, says that since eradication has failed to cut the cocaine supply, the United States ought to consider a new approach. Over a harmless cup of tea, perhaps.

© 2006