Pubdate: Mon, 20 Nov 2000
Source: Daily Item (PA)
Copyright: 2000 The Daily Item
Contact:  200 Market St., Sunbury, PA 17801
Fax: (570) 286-7695
Website: http://www.dailyitem.com/

U.S. SHOULD LEAD DRUG WAR

There is some extremely disturbing news in the latest report of the 
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. It reveals that, 
"Latin America produces the bulk of marijuana, all the world's cocaine and 
a growing proportion of heroin."

The commission warns that the widespread availability of drugs is "creating 
a culture of illegality," which is breaking down society. ...

Latin America is still essentially a producer of drugs, rather than a 
consumer, but the report notes that countries which are not producers, 
notably Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela, are increasingly being used 
to ship drugs, causing widespread corruption of public institutions in 
these countries. The increasing ease of communication and transportation 
has made it possible for the drug cartels to expand their destructive 
enterprises. ...

Without a doubt, drug trafficking is the most dangerous aspect of 
globalization. ... The United States, as the major consumer of drugs and, 
quite likely, where most drug-trafficking profits are invested, must take 
the lead in forging cooperation between all the countries that are involved 
in or affected by this scourge.

— The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier
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