As the highest consumer of drugs, The American people have seen the damage drugs can have on a population and furthermore the effect South American drugs cartels have had on us as a people. Billions of dollars are gained in revenue by the cartels and millions of lives are effected due to the strength and easy accessibility of such illegal narcotics. Now however, the effects are also being seen in the countries with these illegal substances are manufactured and transported. Countries Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Argentina have seen an epidemic due the cheapness and accessibility of Paco. A residue paste left behind in the manufacturing process and making of cocaine. Paco is surprisingly worse than crack cocaine; the new street drug has worse effects on the body and is cheaper than it's American counter-part. Users of Paco have been given the nickname, "The living Dead". A jump in violent crimes and the amounts seized indicate the problem is steadily worsening. Argentina's near fifty percent unemployment rate doesn't positively add to the situation neither. Twenty-seven hundred pounds of the drugs were seized in economically struggling Argentina in 2007 alone.

The South American counties turmoil shows that there are stifling similarities in the effects the cartels have had on the innocent people of both their homeland and those on American soil. Now that these issues are now hitting home for South Americans, more of an effort can be made to stop the entire situation as oppose to just letting Americans handle our own issues. Perhaps, since many of these South Americans countries economies are struggling the officials and those in power have turned a blind eye to the cultivation of a surplus of coca leaves. Many Gurilla organizations use Drug Porfits to fund political campaign as a effort to gain power and political notoriety. It's apparent the coca plants has many positives uses however, the question arises, do these countries think the plants being grown to make tea or other harmful substances? If an effort can be collectively mad on both parties maybe something can be done to put an end to these cartels lucrative businesses and the negative effects it has on our health. Hopefully interviewing a native South American facing this battling could give people a more understandable perspective of the situation and convey the emotions of those effected 1^st hand.

Many of the natives call users "The Living Dead".

The Graffiti spray painted on the walls indicated the horrible effects of Paco.

Part 1 of Interview

Part 2 of Interview

The Interview overhead, is a brief glimpse of what it is like having a friend or family member who is effected by Paco. Danny Cano, 25 of Bedford, New York; lived in Colombian for the first six years of his life. He shares his experiences and his personal insight on what it is like having blood relative hooked to cocaine paste.

Although the topic was covered in The New York Times and Vice news, which are considered to be the biggest main stream and alternative media outlet, Paco is still an under reported topic. Paco only affects though in few South American counties. Through observation and the test of time we can paco has not and most likely will not be imported into other nations. However does that mean an effort cannot be made to stop this epidemic and help those negatively affected by the situation? As of now these South American nations have done little to help their own citizen.

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