LIMA,PERÚ-ENERO 07.Premier Ana Jara y Embajador de Estados Unidos Brian Nichols en ceremonia de reconocimiento del Concurso para la formación del 1er centro de exelencia del Perú.Foto:ANDINA/Héctor Vinces.
Bilateral relations and mutual support between Peru and the United States in the fight against drugs are at an excellent level, said today U.S. Ambassador to Lima, Brian A. Nichols, who noted the strong commitment of the Peruvian government to confront this scourge.
Peru has broken its record of illegal coca leaf interdiction and eradication, which last year totaled 30,000 hectares, coupled with more than 30 tons of cocaine hydrochloride and a significant amount of seized chemical inputs.
“We are supporting each other in every aspect as partners in the fight against antinarcotics […] We have closely worked with the Peruvian Government to replace coca leaves with cocoa, coffee, pineapple and African palm crops,” he was quoted as saying by RPP.
Nichols also said his country has made considerable progress in reducing drug consumption, which is now less than half of that over the last decade, including the use of synthetic drugs.
Such a reduction was possible thanks to the education given to the youth, the medical care, and the early intervention to treat or cure addiction as a disease, confirmed the U.S. diplomat.
(END) MVF/RMB/MVB
Published: 3/6/2015