PROF SAYS DRUGS USED TO EXPAND GLOBAL TRADE

Dependent Relationships Were Formed, He Claims

MASSENA - A Clarkson University anthropology professor contends that
western powers, including the United States, expanded their global
trading networks by using additive drugs to draw foreign cultures into
dependant relationships.

Daniel A. Bradburd, editor of a recently published book called "Drugs,
Labor and Colonial Expansion," presented his argument before a small
group Thursday evening at Massena Memorial Library. Mr. Bradburd's
talk was part of an ongoing series of public lectures by writers that
the library host.

" The growth of trade between societies required goods for which there
was a demand, and drugs filled that roll nicely," Mr. Bradburd said. "
My book explores how Europeans and Americans introduced and used drugs
in colonial contexts for the exploitation and placement of labor."

During the two-hour lecture, Mr. Bradburd outlined how imperial powers
used drugs such as alcohol, opium, tobacco and marijuana to draw
nonwestern societies into their economic sphere and to reduce negative
balances of trade.

" To stimulate trade in the 1700s, the French fur traders in America,
who penetrated further and earlier into the continent than other
Europeans, had to bring something with them that the Indians wanted
bad and wanted often," Mr. Bradburd said. " Alcohol and tobacco have
been useful instruments to draw people into trade.

He said that one of the ironies of the stories of the growth of global
trade is that as Europe and America used addictive substances to
cement their economic ties with the rest of the world, they
simultaneously tried to control the flow of drugs into their own counties.

" Marginally powerful countries couldn't develop trade the same way
the big powers in the world did," Mr. Bradburd said. " It's not like
the Colombian navy could sail into New York harbor in order to force
Americans to buy cocaine."

The modern use of drugs to enhance workplace performance, a subject
Mr. Bradburd is researching, was another topic touched on during the
lecture.

" In the United States, drugs are embedded in the work performance
process. Drugs that help workers, even if they are harmful to one's
health, are acceptable," Mr. Bradburd said. " Look at the way people
drink coffee all day to be productive in the office, then at 5 p. m.
they switch over to alcohol in order to chill out."

Although the audience was small, it was engaged and for the last 30
minutes participated in a lively question and answer session.

" This was a great lecture and a great free forum for discussion,"
said Jack L. Fuehring. " There was a lot of information to digest so
we're going for a beer to talk more."