“I invite you to move forward in our efforts, and we are ready in this alliance with you to fight against drugs, in a more efficient way (…). I invite you to think how to move forward in the restriction, reduction and elimination of consumption” The Head of State said this Friday at the United States Mayors Conference, held at the Providence Convention Center.

Providence, United States, June 12 (SP). Before more than 70 mayors of cities of the United States, President Álvaro Uribe called for the need of a more effective fight against the problem of illegal drugs in the world. At the same time, he invited them to think of how to attack consumption in a more effective way.

“I invite you to move forward in our efforts, and we are ready in this alliance with you to fight against drugs, in a more efficient way (…). I invite you to think how to move forward in the restriction, reduction and elimination of consumption” The Head of State said this Friday at the United States Mayors Conference, held at the Providence Convention Center.

The Colombian Head of State reminded that the problem of illegal drugs must be face under the concept of shared responsibility, because –he repeated- today the world is no longer divided between producers and consumers.

“Today, all countries are threatened by production, traffic and consumption. Fifty years ago, many considered Colombia as a transit zone for drugs. Then we saw the first crops and now we have more than a million consumers”, the President pointed. 

That is why now, the Colombian Congress is analyzing a constitutional reform to penalize personal dose, which –he said- generates impunity. 

“With an illegal personal dose, we are not looking to put into jail those who are sick. They have to go to rehabilitation programs. But those who use personal dose to live in impunity, such as retail dealers, this constitutional reform will put them in jail”, the Head of State declared.

He reiterated that Colombia has made many efforts in the fight against drugs, in eradication, extradition, and domain extinction. 
“Last year, with the help form Plan Colombia and the United States, we eradicated 130.000 hectares of cocaine crops, and we sprayed 93.000 hectares. We have extradited 1.000 drug traffickers to the United States. We have a very strong legislation to confiscate illegal possessions”, he reminded.  

However, he pointed that he was not able to understand why Colombia moves forward with extradition, fumigation and eradication of illegal crops while “there are so many people with personal dose without any punishment”

“It is kind of difficult, dear Mayors, to win this battle. We are winning, but we have not won yet. It is pretty hard to win this battle if we do not increase control over consumption”, the Leader finished.