Press release from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, March 7, 2002

Press release from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, March 7, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Tom Riley 202–395–6618
Thursday, March 7, 2002

COCA CULTIVATION IN COLOMBIA, 2001

(Washington, D.C.)—The annual estimate for coca cultivation in Colombia has been completed. Analysis of satellite imagery indicates that Colombia's coca cultivation is 169,800 hectares, 33,600 hectares more than 2000 levels. One-third of the increase is due to the inclusion of an area that was not surveyed in 2000 because of cloud cover. Also, coca killed by aerial eradication operations conducted after the satellite photographs were taken was counted as live coca in the estimate.

Nonetheless, the increase in cultivation is troubling. The figures underscore the pervasiveness of cultivation and trafficking in Colombia; the magnitude and complexity of Colombia's interlocking security, drug control, and economic challenges; and the need for sustained U.S. engagement. We have a robust assistance program to Colombia to help meet these challenges, including projects to support police and military professionalization; eradication, interdiction, and alternative development; and judicial reform and social and economic development.

Although the full complement of counter-drug and development resources is still arriving in Colombia, we recognize that our efforts to date have not yet produced the results we had hoped to achieve. The security environment in Colombian drug cultivation regions has made it difficult to implement counter-drug programs. We will continue to work with the Government of Colombia to achieve our mutual objectives of strengthening democracy, eliminating drug trafficking, and enforcing the rule of law. We also believe that our renewed effort to drive down the demand for illegal drugs in the United States will have a beneficial effect on the situation in Colombia. We will review our strategy to ensure it is effective in the current environment.

As of March 11, 2002, this document was also available online at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press02/030702.html