Press release from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, May 9, 2003

Press release from White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, May 9, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Rafael Lemaitre 202–395–6618
May 9, 2003

STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY REGARDING THE LATEST ESTIMATE FOR POPPY CULTIVATION IN COLOMBIA

(Washington, D.C.)—The opium poppy crop estimate for Colombia in 2002 is now complete, demonstrating a 25 percent decline in cultivation in a single year. The estimate further reflects potential heroin production derived from that crop, which is likewise down 25 percent from the previous year.

Director Walters stated, "President Uribe has achieved major successes against the illicit drug trade. Reductions in drug production in Colombia will mean fewer drugs on American streets. We intend to remain a solid partner with Colombia as they fight against a drug industry that inflicts damage on both of our nations."

For the year 2002, Colombia had approximately 4,900 hectares of opium poppy cultivation, which would potentially yield approximately 11.3 metric tons of heroin production. (The comparable figures for 2001 were an estimated 6,540 hectares cultivated and a corresponding 15.1 metric tons of potential heroin production).

The annual estimate is a product of survey sampling techniques based on overhead imagery, similar to techniques used to estimate agricultural crops throughout the United States.

The 2002 potential heroin production figure represents a further refinement in our understanding of opium yields in Colombia. The average yield from Colombian poppy fields has been shown by field research to be higher than previously believed, and this year's production estimate, as well as those of previous years, has been adjusted accordingly. This adjustment does not mean that the amount of heroin available has increased. Rather, it reflects an improved understanding of the relative shares of world-wide heroin production.

Opium poppy teams sprayed approximately 3,300 hectares last year, and we are planning on an even greater level of eradication this year. A further indicator that the heroin trade is under stress is an analysis showing a single-year decline in wholesale heroin purity at U.S. ports of entry. Average purity fell nearly 6 percent between 2001 and 2002.

Today's news should be coupled with two additional pieces of evidence regarding our efforts to dismantle the narcotics industry. In Mexico, opium poppy cultivation and potential production dropped a striking 40 percent between 2001 and 2002, while in Colombia, the area under coca cultivation likewise showed a steep decline during the same time period, falling 15 percent in a single year.

Taken together, we see an overall strategy against the narcotics business that is producing a powerful impact.

As of May 14, 2003, this document was also available online at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press03/050903.html