HOW COCAINE WARLORDS ARE KILLING THE RAINFOREST

Written by Sunday Express / Stuart Miller Sunday, 21 March 2010 00:00

SCHOOLCHILDREN in Britain are being taught how cocaine production in South America is destroying the rainforest and driving a rare bird to extinction.

Colombia’s leaders hope that highlighting the problem will not only encourage youngsters to turn their backs on the drug but force the criminals out of business too.

The country’s campaigning vice president Francisco Santos met Government ministers last week to launch a drive that will link the drug and its effects on the environment.

His message is simple – for every line of cocaine snorted in Britain four square yards of rainforest is being destroyed.

By teaching environmentally aware youngsters that the splendidly named gorgeted puffleg hummingbird is facing oblivion because its rainforest haunts are being turned into cocaine-growing plantations will, it is hoped, have a two-fold effect.

Not only will the message help save Colombia’s precious wilderness, it will also drive the next generation of potential drug-users away from the scourge that is cocaine. Mr Santos has suffered more than most at the hands of Colombia’s evil drugs industry.

He was kidnapped by Pablo Escobar, now dead head of the infamous Medellin drugs cartel, in 1990 while working as a journalist and later had to go into exile after he appeared on a hit list drawn up by the cocaine-financed Farc rebel group. His brother-in-law was killed by the traffickers when they blew up an aircraft.

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Colombian ambassador at Girvan Academy

Written by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed) Friday, 05 March 2010 00:00

THE COLOMBIAN ambassador to the UK went to Girvan Academy to hear how the school is supporting his country’s Shared Responsibility project against drugs.

Mauricio Rodriguez praised the school when he paid a visit as part of an official trip to Scotland.

Pupils have previously had a video link to Francisco Santos Calderon, Colombia’s vice-president.

The school was also visited by Ana Maria Caballero, advisor to the vice-president, back in 2008.

Shared Responsibility is the Colombian government’s flagship campaign.

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Cocaine warning as Colombia tells of drug-ravaged state

Written by Edinburgh Evening News Tuesday, 23 February 2010 00:00

THE Government today underlined the importance of tackling Scotland's drugs problem as a warning was given by the world's top cocaine-producing nation.

Colombia's UK Ambassador Mauricio Rodriguez Munera told schoolchildren in Edinburgh of the social and environmental damage that cocaine has ravaged on his country.

Mr Rodriguez said Colombia had suffered deforestation, pollution, corruption and violence because of the drug.

He unveiled his Government's flagship "Shared Responsibility" project during a visit to Portobello High School.

It spells out the consequences of cocaine production – in 20 years 2.2 million hectares of rainforest have been destroyed to grow coca plants, causing hundreds of families to be displaced.

Mr Rodriguez said: "To win the battle against drugs, we must significantly reduce both production and consumption. This is important for Scotland – to end the terrible public health threat.

Read more: Cocaine warning as Colombia tells of drug-ravaged state