Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIODEJANEIRO161
2009-06-25 19:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Cable title:  

Media Reaction, Jornal do Brasil Newspaper, Brazil: Between

Tags:  KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD XM XR BR 
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VZCZCXYZ0002
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRI #0161 1761948
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 251948Z JUN 09
FM AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4924
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA PRIORITY 1242
RUEHSO/AMCONSUL SAO PAULO PRIORITY 5263
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
UNCLAS RIO DE JANEIRO 000161

SIPDIS

STATE INR/R/MR; IIP/R/MR; WHA/PD

DEPT PASS USTR


USDOC 4322/MAC/OLAC/JAFEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR OPRC OIIP ETRD XM XR BR
SUBJECT: Media Reaction, Jornal do Brasil Newspaper, Brazil: Between
Advances and Regressions (on drugs)

On June 25, center-left Rio daily Jornal do Brasil writes, "Brazil
is the country that consumes the most cocaine in South America, even
though it is not a large global producer of the drug. This fact was
included in the UN's global report on drugs that was released
yesterday. In absolute figures, the Brazilian market leads the
continent in cocaine consumption, with close to 890,000 users (the
equivalent of .7% of the population between 12 and 65). A worrying
increase when compared to 2001, when drug users represented .4% of
the population. Based on questionnaires filled out by governments,
the United Nations survey was released simultaneously in various
cities throughout the world on the eve of the International Day
Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

The number of drug seizures increased along with the rise in
consumption. In the Southern Cone countries (Brasil, Argentina,
Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile),seizures went from 10 tons in 2000 to
38 tons in 2007. According to the National Secretary for Drug
Policy, Paulo Roberto Uchta, "Brazil doesn't bother the world in
terms of production. It is a bother because of the drug transit that
takes place in the country. In 2007, South America contributed with
45% of the world's total drug apprehensions, the equivalent of 323
tons. More than 60% of this amount comes from Columbia. 17 tons of
cocaine were seized in Brazil- which places it 10th in the world
ranking.

The Secretary emphasized the fact that Brazil shares a border with
the three largest worldwide producers of cocaine, but avoided
speaking about failures in vigilance. According to the Federal
Police, the main objective is not to intercept narcotics, but to
break up the criminal organizations responsible for the illicit
trade. According to Uchta, Brazil is fully compliant with
international commitments regarding the drug trade.

In spite of the official optimism, Brazil is one of the four
countries with the most users of intravenous drugs (along with
China, the United States, and Russia, they make up an estimated 45%
of the world's users). This practice ends up pushing Brazil into
another sad ranking: that of countries with the highest rate of HIV
contamination on the planet. According to the report, 48% of those
infected by AIDS virus in Brazil are users of intravenous drugs.
Public policies directed towards these groups would be more than
welcome...

Another dark scenario is laid out [in the report] in relation to
crack. Seizures in Brazil almost quadrupled from 2006 to 2007, going
from 145.3 tons to 578 tons. In the time period covered by the
survey, which starts in 2002, the year with the least seizures of
crack was 2004, with 101 tons apprehended. Cheap and powerful, the
drug became a favorite among the less-favored classes, with large
penetration among youth and children. State support for addicts-
when it exists- is still far from ideal.

More than just a compilation of numbers and charts, the diagnosis
laid out that in the 314 pages of the report could serve as a basis
for governments' public policy towards the fight against drug
trafficking and the prevention of addiction."



MARTINEZ