"THE COCA HAVE FRIENDS IN EUROPE"

ANTWERP - March 12 The cultural association "Friends of the Coca Leaf" welcomes the proposal made today by President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, at a UN meeting in Vienna to lift the ban on coca leaf. The association, composed of citizens living in different European countries met on the occasion of Day of Acullicu (Traditional Consumption of Coca Leaf) that now takes place in Bolivia.

The Friends of the Coca Leaf practice the akulliku (chewing coca leaves), some for many years and we have found that is not harmful. On the contrary, we know a lot of scientific evidence which shows that the consumption of coca leaf in its natural state has many benefits for physical health. At the same time, we know that there has never been recorded a scientific paper that shows that consuming coca can cause damage.

Since 1988, the traditional consumption of coca leaf has been legal in Bolivia and Peru, with the permission of the United Nations. The sale of the coca leaf is made freely accessible to all. Tourists can purchase and consume coca in these countries, but due to the fact that is in the list of controlled substances attached to the UN Convention, taking leaves outside these countries is illegal.

Western governments for decades have tried to eradicate the coca leaf. They have spent billions of euros in military and police operations that have led to violent confrontations with Andean farmers who survive by growing coca. These operations have not had any results in decreasing the production of illegal cocaine or poverty of the rural population in the Andean region. Therefore, producers of coca leaf are forced to sell much of their crop to the illegal market.

Members of the association 'Friends of the Coca Leaf' wish to contribute to repair an injustice to the indigenous population of the Andes. We want to help increase the legal market for coca leaf, and facilitate through Internet a system of buying a small amount of coca leaves for the personal use of the members. Using legal means and respecting the rules of fair trade, we intend to work with Coca producers in Peru, Colombia and Bolivia that are willing to comply with environmental and health standards currently in force.



For more information, please contact us coca2009@encod.org