Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski on Tuesday highlighted the role of legal alternative crops in regional development and the fight against drugs.
"Fostering prosperity is the ultimate cure, so that people who have to make a living on these
[illegal] crops see that they can earn more money —with less risks— by engaging in legal activities, but that takes time," he expressed.
The Head of State insisted that lawful options are actually viable, as evidenced by areas where alternative crops
have replaced illegal coca fields.
"It is feasible; the cases of [northeastern] San Martin [region] and the Monzon [Valley, Huanuco region] with the support of the United States and others show that it is a
feasible alternative."
To this end, the statesman stressed the need to tackle the country's high informality rates, which resulted in a devastating
blaze at a building in Lima last week.
"This informality we allow in Peru leads to the prevalence —in certain zones— of cocaine and poppy crops, present in northern areas," Mr. Kuczynski concluded.
Remarks were made during the
main ceremony on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, as well as the 21st anniversary of the Information and Education Center for Drug Abuse Prevention (Cedro).
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