I was seriously disturbed by the Sun Journal’s misleading headline in the Sept. 22 issue. It read, “Candidate: Legalize cocaine.” The article was referring to a statement by Evo Morales, an Aymarian candidate for president of Bolivia. He was referring to the growing of the coca plant, not the drug cocaine.

There is a world of difference between the leaf and cocaine. The leaf is a part of the Bolivian culture, especially the indigenous peoples. It is chewed much as we drink coffee, and is certainly less potent than a strong cup of Colombian.

Pressure from our government has led to eradication efforts on behalf of past governments in Bolivia, directed against its native peoples, who are the primary growers of the coca leaf. These people are not growing the plant to feed our insatiable appetite for cocaine; they are growing the plant as part of their culture for their daily and ceremonial use.

We should concentrate on cocaine use in our own country, not destroying the culture of that mysterious, wonderful country.

James Edwards, Auburn