History of Drugs in Latin America

Sean Parsons

History of Drugs in Latin America

10/5/10

Essay 1

Why do people participate in the drug trade? That question is one that many people are still trying to find the answer for. Even after the U.S. and several other countries have implemented various laws against the production and distribution of cocaine, the drug trade is still a way of life for the people of Peru. The coca plant is so entwined in their everyday lives, without it they would not be able to support their family or live the way they want to. The economic growth they can receive from the coca plant is the only way a peasant can live in the ever modernizing world they are all living in.

For The Runa culture the cocaine plant is part of their everyday life. The act of coca chewing “Hallpay” is done about five times per day. It is a part of their ritual and is considered sacred to them. “The act of chewing coca leaves is an unequivocal statement of cultural loyalties” (Pg57 Allen). The Runa people consider themselves descendents from the Incas. It is said that the Incas had a close personal relationship with their physical environment and they could even talk directly to the Earth and the mountains. Now the Runa people use coca as a median to indirectly communicate with the Earth (Pg161 Allen). The chewing of the coca plant is used as a way to relax or the Runa people use it to seal agreements. If someone wants a favor from someone they offer them coca and if the coca is accepted the contract is sealed (Pg166 Allen). The Runa people have not stopped the use of coca for it is one of the most sacred parts of their community. No matter what policies or laws that are made, it is their way of life.

The difference between the Runa people and the peasants of Peru that are involved with the coca plant is that they are doing for the money. In Peru there aren’t many jobs that are not somehow connected with the coca plant. This is because the trade of the drug creates many opportunities for anyone who wants to make money. Some of the jobs it creates are; Cooks who turn the coca paste into cocaine, mixers, pilots, chemical smugglers, and many more. Every job can be done by almost anyone and provides more income to help support their families (Morales).

There have been many programs in Peru that tried to set up farming land to try and build a better agricultural market for the people. One of these programs was the Proyectos Especiales. These programs proved to have no avail in the settlement of the agricultural frontier because of their lack of funds and knowledge of the land (Pg 36 Morales). The peasants that were moved to these farms often planted crops that were inappropriate for the soil, and even experienced farmers were restricted by the people who were