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Show 178 have available all the data necessary for resolving the simple problem, we feel that before declaring itself incapable of taking a decision for fifteen years! It might have consulted a committee of experts on drug addiction such as is already available in the World Health Organization in Geneva. Perhaps it is not too late yet to reconsider the step taken, as the said Committee would no doubt be able to resolve the problem immediately, and so avoid all unnecessary delay in settling a matter of great importance to the welfare of millions of Indians in Peru and Bolivia. 1953 Bejarano, Jorge (Colombia). "Nuevos Capitulos Sobre El Cocaismo en Colombia," America Indigena, XIII No. 1 (January, 1953), pp. 14-45. English Summary: The subject of the chewing of coca leaves in several South American countries is very important, for it is the Indian, accustomed from ancient times, to "lliptar" this stimulant, who is the traditional victim of this vice, considered by many specialists as real narcotic addiction. Peru and Colombia are the places where this vice is deeply rooted, particularly in special sectors of the Indian population. In Peru, careful studies have been made of the habit, mainly from the physiological and medical point of view. Carlos Monge M., founder of the world-famous Institute of High Altitude Biology, and Carlos Gutierrez Noriega have made outstanding contributions on this subject. The coca habit has not always been considered harmful; many defend it and as a result, there are two or more schools of thought on the subject. Recently the Narcotics Commission of the United Nations sent a technical mission to South America to study the problem. Its conclusions have been published in the specialized Bulletin of the UN and our magazines have also printed many articles on the subject. Our position has been objective; we have tried to make the various points of view known, for the last word on the question is far from having been said. The UN Commission has not arrived at a definite conclusion and sensibly advised more research on the problem (research on the social and economic aspects is especially needed) and suggests waiting for an increase in mass education. The latter is a long-term project and does not guarantee the eradication of coca even if it is proven to be 100% harmful. America Indigena's objectivity and interest are again seen in its publication in this issue of articles by Dr. Bejarano and Dr. Carlos Monge. Dr. Bejarano's thesis on advisability of suppressing coca is radical while Dr. Monge, if not defending the habit for Indians living at high altitudes in the Andes, has a more conservative point of view and believes that a special climatic- |