WAR ON DRUGS

Latest Figures On Colombian Coca Production Indicate We're Losing The
Battle On The Supply Side

In recent years the United States has given more than $4 billion in
aid to Colombia. Most of it was spent on Plan Colombia, intended to
cut coca plant production in half over six years, thus reducing the
illegal supply of cocaine.

The latest figures from the White House's Office of National Drug
Control Policy indicate that, far from accomplishing the goal, Plan
Colombia is losing ground. According to the White House figures, coca
production expanded about 21 percent last year, to 355,680 acres.

In a news release, the White House asserted that the higher figure
could result from a more comprehensive satellite and ground survey. If
true, then previous figures did not begin to reflect an accurate
assessment and were all but worthless, particularly those indicating
sharp reductions in coca production.

As Joy Olson, director of a Washington think tank, told John Otis of
the Chronicle's South American Bureau, "In reality, coca cultivation
and cocaine production exceed the official estimates, probably by a
wide margin."

Losing the supply side battle in the war on drugs means more than
increased cocaine on U.S. streets. Murderous narcotics traffickers in
Mexico are making life dangerous for residents on both sides of the
border between Texas and Mexico. If expensive efforts to limit the
supply of cocaine are not working, perhaps the money would be better
spent in an effort to limit demand.

Some surveys show cocaine use among young Americans has declined,
although alcohol and tobacco use might be gaining. Anti-drug education
could be a factor.

Treatment programs help many drug addicts to quit and lead productive
lives, but spaces are limited. Many prisons filled with drug and
alcohol abusers lack adequate treatment programs, perpetuating the
problem when inmates return to the streets.

One thing seems clear. Spending $4 billion on a program that is
helpless to prevent expanded coca production would be better spent at
home on prevention and treatment.