South American Indians have chewed coca leaves for centuries. The leaves reputedly provide energy and are said to have medicinal qualities. Supporters of Bolivia’s position praised it for doing the right thing by defending the rights of indigenous people. “The Bolivian move is inspirational and groundbreaking,” said Danny Kushlick, Head of External Affairs at the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, which promotes drug liberalization. “It shows that any country that has had enough of the war on drugs can change the terms of its engagement with the UN conventions.”
Who is Danny Kushlick?
A member of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation A delegate to a UN convention An indigenous Bolivian fighting for the right to chew coca leaves A researcher studying the health benefits of coca