Colombia Requests UN to Declassify Coca as a Harmful Substance

Colombia’s Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia has appealed to the UN to remove coca from the harmful substances list, arguing that scientific research shows the coca leaf is not harmful to health. This move aims to improve strategies against cocaine production, promote alternative crops, and counter drug trafficking’s detrimental effects on Colombian society.

Colombian Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia has formally requested the United Nations’ Commission on Narcotic Drugs to reconsider the classification of coca, the principal ingredient in cocaine, as a harmful substance. During a commission meeting, she asserted that scientific evidence would demonstrate that “the coca leaf itself is not harmful to health,” challenging the current classification that has driven global anti-drug strategies.

Minister Sarabia argued that the existing approach to combat illegal cocaine trade has failed, resulting in the detrimental impact on Colombia by hindering its development and contributing to violence and environmental damage. She stated, “The evidence is overwhelming: drug trafficking has slowed down the development of our country, victimized millions of peasants, financed terrorist groups and devastated essential ecosystems such as the Amazon.”

Furthermore, Sarabia emphasized that the removal of coca from the harmful substances list would enable Colombian authorities to leverage the coca leaf’s potential applications, including its use in fertilizers and beverages. This change could facilitate the promotion of alternative crops, such as cacao, thereby providing more tools to enforce anti-drug policies effectively.

“Reforming the global drug regime does not mean normalizing drug trafficking, but rather providing us with more effective tools to combat it,” she stated, stressing that it is crucial for Colombia to refocus its policies for the sake of its citizens’ well-being and national peace.

In terms of achievements, the Foreign Ministry reported that the administration of President Gustavo Petro has confiscated approximately 1.9 million kilograms of cocaine and dismantled over 450 clandestine cocaine factories since August 2022. However, the government has yet to significantly reduce coca cultivation intended for cocaine production. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has identified Colombia as the leading global producer of cocaine.

In summary, Colombia’s request to the United Nations to declassify coca from the harmful substances list represents a significant shift in drug policy. Foreign Minister Sarabia advocates that this modification could enhance efforts to combat cocaine production while also supporting alternative industrial uses for the coca leaf. Overall, the initiative aims to address the complex issues surrounding drug trafficking and its impact on Colombian society.

Original Source: colombiareports.com