We need to look deeper into the problem. Ms. Morales comes from a village in the heart of Columbia's Amazon rain forest, where coca traditionally has been grown for medicinal purposes, to help heal wounds, for its high nutritional values, and for religious rituals. With half hectare farms, peasants hardly make a living. Yet, it is the only crop they can produce to sustain their lives because of transportation issues from the isolated region. Yuca would be a good crop, but we can't transport it out.
People are willing to pay to fly coca out of our region.
Participants also said that the large plantations of Columbia produce the majority of coca plants for cocaine sale. Peasants and children are being hurt as governments continue to militarize with the help of the United States. Such militarization build-up allows governments to deal not only with drug problems, but with internal opposition, such as in Columbia. Participants in the panel proposed open dialogue and a more critical analysis of the issue. Instead of looking at rhetorical proposals to create drug-free societies, they emphasized the need for better health efforts, education measures, and economic development.