October 23, 2019 | Written by - Caroline Davies '22
Here in Cleveland, Ohio, we are surrounded by an ever-present problem of heroin addiction. We see how this drug affects the people close to us, but we may turn a blind eye to the effects of this terrifying drug around the world.
In Latin America, drug cartels rope poor farmers into growing poppies. Because of the amount of money that this offers people, they gladly accept. They do this not out of malice, but out of a desire for a comfortable life. This flower-turned-drug can be considered the base of parts of the Colombian economy. Some of these funds present an economic platform for the establishment of roads, dams, and even schools. The production of this flower, which is then turned into heroin by outside sources, provides an economic foundation far greater than the government ever could for poor farmers. The attractive and growing business of growing poppies provides jobs for poor Colombians, which in turn improves the greater Colombian economy. The business also offers jobs, aiding people in rising out of poverty.
Although growing poppies in Latin America means economic livelihood, the United States sees this as a problem that ravages our own country. To solve this problem, the Colombian government, with requests from the United States, has begun spraying the poppy fields, which kills these heroin-producing flowers. The spraying of the poppy fields presented a series of issues for Colombian people. From economic disaster to the pollution of their rivers, the heroin epidemic pushes locals further into poverty than ever before.
Not only are the people of Latin America deeply affected, but people living in the Golden Triangle, a popular place where heroin is traded, are as well. The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers. This area is popular for drug trade due to the rivers that connect each region and the climate that allows for mass production and growth of poppies. As of 2014, the Golden Triangle produced 76 tonnes of heroin. This is an immense issue that creates a dangerous environment for ordinary civilians. Merchants and fishermen are among the many people who use the rivers that connect the infamous drug trade within the Golden Triangle, which also affects the lives of civilians that use the river for everyday jobs. These people live in fear that if they even make eye contact with heroin traffickers, their lives could be in danger.
Throughout the world, we see the damaging effects of heroin use, whether it be heroin addiction in Cleveland, Ohio, the production of poppies which suppresses people further into poverty in Latin America, or merchants and fishermen fearing for their lives in the Golden Triangle.
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