Transcript document

The Coca Leaf Debate
The Coca Leaf Debate
-The coca leaf is the source of
the addictive narcotic - cocaine,
so the plant must be outlawed.
vs
- The Coca leaf has nutritional
and medicinal properties, making
it worth protecting.
The Coca Leaf Debate
1961
The United Nations listed the coca
leaf as an illegal substance along
with cocaine and heroin
Since then, the coca leaf’s legal International
merchandising has been limited.
Coca Leaf
According to scientists:
- If it is consumed in its natural form, the leaf is not toxic and does not
produce dependency.
- Cocaine is just one of the many alkaloids found in the coca leaf and
accounts for only 1% of the leaf.
Coca Leaf’s benefits
1
It increases the amount of
oxygen in your blood
allowing to travel to high
altitudes
2
It is a mild stimulant because
it provides your body with all
sorts of vitamins
+ proteins than meat
+ calcium than milk
+ phorphorus than fish
3
Helps overcome fatigue,
hunger and thirst
4
It is used as an anesthetic to
alliviate the pain of headache,
rheumatism, wounds and
sores.
Coca Leaf - Legal Uses
1
2
3
Medicinal
treatment
Food Industry
Traditional Culture
Coca Cultivation in Peru
Even though Coca cultivation has increased in
Peru, it continues to have international limitations
Video
http://english.cntv.cn/
program/newshour/20
110430/105863.shtml
Discussion question # 1
Do you think the coca leaf
should be considered an
illegal substance? Why or
why not?
Discussion question # 2
Do you think the US should allow the
entrance of products that contain the
coca leaf like: energy drinks, granola
bars, teas, etc?
Discussion question # 3
How do you think the Peruvian
government should manage this
problem? Do you think they should
continue to allow its cultivation?
Discussion question # 4
Does your country have a
similar situation with any
product/plant?
Discussion question # 5
Who do you think is responsible for the current
issues related to the coca leaf: the farmers, the
Peruvian Government, those who transform
coca leaves into cocaine, or drug users?
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Conclusion