The book considers the cocaine phenomenon in Bolivia, the socioeconomic and political impact of the drug business in Colombia, and the illicit drug trade in Peru. Particular attention is paid to coca growing areas, social and political impacts of cocaine trafficking, the impact of the drug trade on national security and international relations, crop reduction programs, drug-crime relationships, government responses, the link between drug trafficking and human rights abuses, chemical and medical aspects of cocaine, drug dependence, and drug legislation. Potential solutions to cocaine production, trafficking, and consumption are offered, especially in terms of economic dimensions of the drug trade for Andean countries. The role of the United States in curtailing the South American drug trade is also discussed. References and tables