Cocaine: White Gold Rush in Peru (Paperback)

by Edmundo Morales (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Peru's booming cocaine economy and the corruption of its society at every level by "coca dollars" is the subject of this probing, conscientious though somewhat repetitive field report by Peruvian-born sociologist, writer and photographer Morales, who is employed by New York State's Division of Substance Abuse Services. His Peruvian background greatly facilitated his research among the coca growers and aided his infiltration into the ranks of corrupt officials and police as well as the drug ring that controls the cocaine market. After comprehensive study of all parties involved, the author concludes that the U.S. and international agencies' attempts to eradicate centuries-old coca farming and chewing is futile; substitution of food and cash crops is impractical, he maintains, since coca-producing countries consider the product vital to economic survival and blame consumer countries for its abuse. Outside military intervention could lead to Andes-wide revolution, Morales warns; he suggests exploring the option of buying up and disposing of the coca crop, despite the obvious complexities. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Cocaine: Much is known about the damage done by this drug in the United States; yet how much is actually known of its impact at its source? Though most processed cocaine comes from Colombia, more than half of the coca paste from which the drug is made originates in the vast jungle slopes shared by Bolivia and Peru. People here have chewed coca leaves for centuries, but only over the last twenty years has coca become a major cash crop. Now it supports local economies, feeds inflation, and affects the social behavior of Peruvians. Edmundo Morales, a Peruvian who is now a drug researcher in the United States, has conducted an extensive study of this underground economy to show how cocaine has changed the social, cultural, economic, and political climate of Peru--and why government efforts are unable to stop it. With statistics on coca agriculture, a description of coca-paste manufacturing, and an examination of the industry's social structure, Morales's book is an inside look at the "white gold rush" that only a Peruvian could have written. It offers a new perspective for understanding a problem that is usually seen only as it affects our own society, and it proposes a new look at policies directed toward its control.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press (November 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816511594
• ISBN-13: 978-0816511594
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,454,057 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)