THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 8, 1996 TAG: 9604060023
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
I searched the faces of the Colombian coca farmers in the photo accompanying ``After a slump, cocaine farms flourish'' (World News, March 24). I didn't see the demons or vacant-eyed zombies I thought I might find; just hard-working farmers.
However, when I read the article I didn't buy their excuse for taking part in the production of such a devastating drug as cocaine. ``Most say they would rather grow something else in Putumayo's rich red soil. But they can't make enough on traditional products. . . . `Economically, it's a good business for us, said Natibeo Lucero. We know the harm we are causing humanity, but what else can we do? We're not going to let our families starve to death.'''
Then I turned to the editorial page and read about House Bill 1392 that weakens Virginia's hand if it attempts to recoup medical expenses from the tobacco industry. The editorial anticipated favorable passage in Virginia, because tobacco is a valuable cash crop and a leading export for the state, and went on to recommend against passage because, ``Years of economic dependence on a product should not blind public officials to countervailing health costs.''
Something clicked. I turned back to the article on coca farmers and substituted the word ``Piedmont'' for ``Putumayo,'' and the Colombian farmer's argument made perfect sense.
I guess people around the world are just not that much different.
TOM WEEKS
Virginia Beach, March 26, 1996 by CNB