'It's no worse than whisky': Colombian President shocks the world with his latest statement!

The world has been actively combating illegal drugs for decades.

Several countries have taken measures to prevent these harmful items from entering their shores and destroying lives.

Yet, a recent proposal from a high-ranking government official puzzled the international community.


Colombia's President, Gustavo Petro, made a bold and controversial call for the legalisation of cocaine globally.

This statement came from a leader whose country is known as the world's largest producer and exporter of the substance.

During a live broadcast of a government meeting, President Petro stated that the criminalisation of cocaine came from geopolitical bias rather than objective harm assessment.


compressed-Gustavo Petro.jpeg
Gustavo Petro became the first left-wing President for Colombia. Image Credit: Instagram/Gustavo Petro


'The illicit drug "is illegal because it is made in Latin America, not because it is worse than whisky"', Petro argued.

Colombia has long been embroiled in a relentless battle against drug trafficking, with countless lives lost and resources spent in fighting illicit trade.

President Petro also stated that the global cocaine industry could die down if the drug were to be legalised and regulated worldwide, similar to alcohol.

'If you want peace, you have to dismantle the business of drug trafficking,' the President stated.


The Colombian President also highlighted the issue of fentanyl—a cause of over 75,000 deaths in the United States every year.

President Petro pointed out that the drug was not of Colombian origin.

Instead, fentanyl was developed by North American pharmaceutical companies, leading to widespread addiction.

Since his election in 2022, President Petro has been on a mission to broker peace with the various armed groups within Colombia that are sustained by the drug trade.

He aimed to put an end to over six decades of conflict.

Despite these efforts, cocaine production in Colombia hit a record high in 2023.


According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Colombia saw a 53 per cent increase in production, equivalent to 2,600 tonnes.

President Petro's comments sparked a global debate on drug policy.

Many questioned the feasibility and potential consequences of the proposed shift.

Critics also argued that the comparison between cocaine and whisky was overly simplistic.

The comparison failed to account for the complex social, health, and legal implications of cocaine use and trafficking.

On the other hand, proponents of drug reform see President Petro's stance as a potential catalyst for change.

The idea of legalising a substance like cocaine may seem far-fetched, but it's crucial to engage in these discussions and consider its impact on future generations.
Key Takeaways

  • Colombian President Gustavo Petro made a controversial proposal to legalise cocaine globally.
  • He argued that the drug's illegal status was a result of it being produced in Latin America and is no worse than alcohol.
  • The President claimed that legalising cocaine could dismantle the drug trafficking industry and help bring peace.
  • Colombia is the world's leading producer and exporter of cocaine, with production reaching a record high in 2023.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts on this contentious issue. Do you believe that cocaine should be legalised and regulated like alcohol? Do you think that this move would lead to more harm than good? Join the conversation in the comments below and let us know where you stand on this global debate.
 

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You are talking substance abuse/ addiction, not mental health issues related to gambling, theft or any other non-substance abuse related issues. I will reiterate what I said. I think that there is a big difference between nicotine, alcohol and substances such as heroin. Not everyone who smokes cigarettes (Nicotine addiction), or who drink alcohol, abuse others, steal, gamble etc.
Sorry @Kevin A., I have to agree with @Veggiepatch that gambling affects a humungous portion of communities and is extremely addictictive as well as dangerous! If you've ever seen what it does, not only to the addict, but his family and the suicide rate, you'll understand.
 
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You are talking substance abuse/ addiction, not mental health issues related to gambling, theft or any other non-substance abuse related issues. I will reiterate what I said. I think that there is a big difference between nicotine, alcohol and substances such as heroin. Not everyone who smokes cigarettes (Nicotine addiction), or who drink alcohol, abuse others, steal, gamble etc.
Sorry @Kevin A., I have to agree with @Veggiepatch that gambling affects a humungous portion of communities and is extremely addictive as well as dangerous! If you've ever seen what it does, not only to the addict, but his family and the suicide rate, you'll understand.
 
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Reactions: DLHM
Actually, in defence of @Kevin. A. , I was the one that mentioned gambling first.
I don't care who mentioned it first, but he did after, now I can't?
Kevin. A. said:
You are talking substance abuse/ addiction, not mental health issues related to gambling, theft or any other non-substance abuse related issues. I will reiterate what I said. I think that there is a big difference between nicotine, alcohol and substances such as heroin. Not everyone who smokes cigarettes (Nicotine addiction), or who drink alcohol, abuse others, steal, gamble etc.
 
I don't care who mentioned it first, but he did after, now I can't?
Kevin. A. said:
You are talking substance abuse/ addiction, not mental health issues related to gambling, theft or any other non-substance abuse related issues. I will reiterate what I said. I think that there is a big difference between nicotine, alcohol and substances such as heroin. Not everyone who smokes cigarettes (Nicotine addiction), or who drink alcohol, abuse others, steal, gamble etc.
 
For those addicted to gambling, the act is the substance. There are many forms of addiction.
Gambling is a mental health issue and not substance abuse, there is a difference. Yes, I agree Gambling might be destructive to families and it may cause antisocial behavior like theft, physical or verbal abuse. However, GAMLING IS NOT SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR THE SAME AS DRUG ABUSE.
 
Gambling is a mental health issue and not substance abuse, there is a difference. Yes, I agree Gambling might be destructive to families and it may cause antisocial behavior like theft, physical or verbal abuse. However, GAMLING IS NOT SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR THE SAME AS DRUG ABUSE.
I disagree.
 
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Reactions: Kevin. A.
I disagree.
Drug abuse can become addictive, and that addiction can lead to an overdose, because a drug addict needs more of the drug over time to get the same high. This in turn can make a drug addict overdose, and this can kill a drug addict. I am do not believe that gambling addiction in itself can do a gambling addict any physical harm.
 
Drug abuse can become addictive, and that addiction can lead to an overdose, because a drug addict needs more of the drug over time to get the same high. This in turn can make a drug addict overdose, and this can kill a drug addict. I am do not believe that gambling addiction in itself can do a gambling addict any physical harm.
I know a fair bit about drug addiction. My youngest son was an addict and I spent many hours helping when he overdosed or came close to it. He found heroin the easiest drug to kick. He also had a big problem with alcohol. The most difficult drugs to get off of were barbiturates. He did that while in prison. But once an addict, it’s something that one lives with everyday.

My eldest grandson had been taking meth from his early teen years until he was incarcerated about 2 years ago. He’s 24 now. But there’s always the chance he’ll get on it again when he’s released.

A gambling addict can cause physical harm to themselves and others too.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Kevin. A.
I know a fair bit about drug addiction. My youngest son was an addict and I spent many hours helping when he overdosed or came close to it. He found heroin the easiest drug to kick. He also had a big problem with alcohol. The most difficult drugs to get off of were barbiturates. He did that while in prison. But once an addict, it’s something that one lives with everyday.

My eldest grandson had been taking meth from his early teen years until he was incarcerated about 2 years ago. He’s 24 now. But there’s always the chance he’ll get on it again when he’s released.

A gambling addict can cause physical harm to themselves and others too.
Thank you for confirming what I have said with regards to substance abuse. As I have said I doubt that a gambler could hurt themselves by gambling apart from perhaps a sore arm using a poker machine pull lever all afternoon. What a gambler does outside of physically gambling is a different story. Yes a person who is addicted to gambling can become violent because they have runout of money or as a result of others attempting to stop a gambler from trying to continue to gamble.
 
Thank you for confirming what I have said with regards to substance abuse. As I have said I doubt that a gambler could hurt themselves by gambling apart from perhaps a sore arm using a poker machine pull lever all afternoon. What a gambler does outside of physically gambling is a different story. Yes a person who is addicted to gambling can become violent because they have runout of money or as a result of others attempting to stop a gambler from trying to continue to gamble.
You choose to take my reply as confirmation regarding substance abuse. That’s fine. I still stand by the act of gambling is a form of substance abuse.

Addiction is now understood to be a brain disease. Whether it’s alcohol, prescription pain pills, nicotine, gambling, or something else…”
www.yalemedicine.org


This places gambling in the same category as substance abuse.
 

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