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Coca-leaf bill approval to have dramatic consequences, Devida warns
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President of Devida, Rómulo Pizarro. Photo: ANDINA/Rubén Grández.
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Lima, Mar. 12 (ANDINA).- Peru's National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida) said that authorizing farmers to produce coca leaf flour would be extremely detrimental to the country as it will increase drug trafficking.
For this reason, the president of Devida, Romulo Pizarro, asked Congress to carefully assess the approval of this bill, which is being promoted by congress members from the Nationalist Party.
Speaking from Vienna, Austria, Pizarro told Andina that the approval of this bill will promote the illegal cultivation of coca leaf, affecting ongoing alternative development programs and discouraging international cooperation.
In addition, Pizarro explained that the processing of coca leaf, the main ingredient of cocaine hydrochloride, into flour or flavorings would not eliminate the alkaloids, causing serious health problems.
In this regard, Romulo Pizarro urged the immediate intervention of the Ministry of Health and the Congress Health Commission to review the controversial bill.
(END) GCO/EEP/LVT
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Date: 12/03/2009 |
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