Pubdate: Mon, 07 Oct 2013
Source: Independent  (UK)
Copyright: 2013 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.independent.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209
Author: Johnathan Brown

LIFTING BAN ON COCAINE PLANT CAN HELP MILLIONS OF LIVES, MPS ARE TOLD

For centuries the coca leaf was a staple of Andean culture, prized 
for its medicinal qualities, especially in the alleviation of 
altitude sickness.

But the booming demand for cocaine, of which the leaf is the central 
ingredient, saw the plant outlawed by international governments with 
devastating effects for farmers who had grown it for generations.

An independent report commissioned by the All- Party Parliamentary 
Group for Drug Policy Reform published today urges that the illegal 
status should be reviewed and research conducted into the possible 
legal uses of the leaf which, it is claimed, could benefit the lives 
of millions of the world's poorest. It was banned in 1961 amid 
mounting concern over the impact of the global cocaine trade. But a 
1995 report by the World Health Organisation found there were "no 
negative health effects" resulting from coca use.

The findings were never published, following pressure from the US 
which has pursued a long-standing policy of destroying crops. 
Evidence from the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy 
last week found cocaine was 51 per cent cheaper than in 1990, while 
its potency had increased.

Group chair Baroness Meacher said that the war on drugs had also had 
"disastrous consequences" in the developing world. "The employment of 
poor farmers and their families by the drug barons in Colombia and 
other Andean countries continues to be irresistible while few, if 
any, alternatives exist. But these farmers could earn a legitimate 
income growing a crop to generate products with positive therapeutic, 
cultural and social functions," she said.

Governments should consider using aid budgets to create regulated 
markets in which the alkaloid that makes cocaine was safely removed 
from the leaf and alternative products found, the report said.

Danny Kuschlick of the Transform Drugs Policy Foundation welcomed the 
proposal. "It should never have been made illegal. It is the 
equivalent of making tea, coffee beans or chocolate illegal," he said.

[Sidebar]

Uses for coca

Coca flour: the leaf's 19.6 per cent protein content could make it 
beneficial in geriatric diets, while its high levels of calcium 
suggest use to help with broken bones and osteoporosis

Wine: coca wine is advertised as an antidepressant in Latin America.

Oil: coca leaves contain methyl salicylate, used in mouthwash.

Cocaine addiction: scientists have claimed that chewing coca leaves 
could reduce cocaine dependency in users. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom