Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jun 2000
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Section: Inside the Beltway
Copyright: 2000 News World Communications, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.washtimes.com/
Author: John McCaslin, [snip]

SNORTING AMERICANS

Five days ago, Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois spent his Sunday 
afternoon flying over southern Colombia - in a Black Hawk helicopter.

"We spent an hour going over the treetops of a jungle and looking down," 
the Democrat reveals. "A general from the Colombian army was pointing out 
to me the fields of coca plants, the plant that ultimately produces 
cocaine. After a few minutes, I told him he could stop because we could 
literally see them in every direction.

"I am talking about 600 square miles of coca plants," says the senator. 
"Where will it be sold? Right here, most of it, in the United States."

About 80 percent of the cocaine and heroin consumed in the United States 
comes from Colombia.

[snip]

John McCaslin can be reached at 202/636-3284 or by e-mail at  ---
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