World Nomads has issued a stern warning to travelers to South America regarding the use of cocaine
Photo © iStock/Cesar Okada
In May a young Australian woman was arrested in Colombia for allegedly attempting to smuggle almost 6 kilos of cocaine out of the country.
The case creatred a lot of interest in Colombia and it's laws and attitudes to drug use, and the role of young travellers in Colombia.
WorldNomads.com.au general manager Chris Noble told the press his organisation took a strong position against drug tourism in Colombia.
“We love Colombia as a destination and it’s very popular with adventure travellers because it’s not over developed and still a little exotic. We say it’s like Southeast Asia was 30 years ago, with tourism infrastructure opening up but without mass tourism,” he said.
“What we don’t want to see is Colombia return to the ‘80s and ‘90s where the narcotics trade devastated the economy, resulted in almost half a million homicides, caused environmental damage and forced two million people to be displaced.
“World Nomads encourages travellers to think about these consequences when they go to South America and ask for cocaine. Think about how they are contributing to that misery.
“Is it any wonder that Colombians are disdainful of any westerner who comes to their country and asks for cocaine? If you want to meet locals and make a connection with them, asking for cocaine is not the way to do it.”
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