OPINION Page 6 Friday, June 17, 1988 The Michigan Daily Is the "War" on ecology or on drugs? THIS WEEK, THE LATEST step in the Reagan administration's "War on Drugs" was revealed. Federal agricultural scientists have been experimenting with biological and chemical methods to eradicate coca crops, the source of cocaine, in South America. This plan, one more chapter in Reagan's "War on Drugs," is envi- ronmentally and politically un- sound, and still does not address the root causes of this country's drug problem. In this program, the Uni- ted States intends to drop herbicide pellets over "millions of acres" of South American tropical forest and subtropical savannah land. Thus far, many major pesticide producers have refused to allow their products to be used in this program. Any herbicide being developed by the researchers for use outside the Uni- ted States will not subject to the same approval process as herbicides produced for domestic use. The deadly effect of this policy has been seen many times in Third World countries to which U.S. pharmaceutical and chemical pro- ducers export unapproved products. Third World farmworkers are regu- larly exposed to toxic DDT. Addi- tionally, many infants died when Nestle's pushed its milk formula on Third World mothers who were un- aware of the need to sterilize milk bottles, could not feed their babies when the formula ran out, and did not pass on immunities through breastfeeding. The fragile and rapidly disappear- ing tropical rain forests of South America may also be endangered by the herbicide spraying. It is likely that an herbicide will harm wildlife, plants, and trees which are not the target crop. The senior project re- searcher claimed that although he was concerned about the environ- ment, "our major concern here is the efficiency of the product, that it does a good job of killing coca." The Reagan administration has stated that it will only carry out the program in consenting countries. Such a policy raises serious ques- tions; historically, the United States has forced its client nations into anything it proposes. Con- frontations are likely between the citizens and governments of coun- tries in which the program is im- plemented. This plan smacks of the-hypo- crisy which characterizes the Rea- gan administration. As revealed last summer in the Iran-Contra hear- ings, the CIA, with the knowledge of some Reagan administration officials, engaged in drug-running as a way to finance the mercenary contra army. Reagan's entire "War on Drugs" is also hypocritical on a very basic level. An administration which has so severely cut funds for social programs should only expect drug usage to increase. History has shown that prohibi- tion doesn't work. The Reagan ad- ministration must work to eradicate the social causes which lead to drug abuse in the first place. The gov- ernment must permanently disman- tle its own drug network, address the pervasiveness of drugs in soci- ety's upper crust, and drastically increase funds for social programs which will work to reduce home- lessness and unemployment. Vol. XCVII- No. 7S Unsigned editorials represent the majority views of the Daily's Editorial Board. Cartoons and signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the Daily's opinion. State legislature dumps rent control: Housing battles AFFORDABLE HOUSING in Michigan suffered a double blow in June with the defeat of one bill and the passage of another. In spite of overwhelming evi- dence that national housing short- ages have been created in large part by huge U.S. military spending, the Ann Arbor City Council refused to endorse the Omnibus Housing Bill presented to them last week by the Ann Arbor Tenants Union. This legislation seeks to create per- manently affordable housing through cuts in the military budget and through programs which would make housing community owned and controlled. Fortunately, with or without the approval of the CityrCouncil, the Omnibus Bill promises to bring the scandals of homelessness, sky- rocketing rents, and declines in home-ownership into the forefront of national conciousness. Never- theless, the City Council's failure to support the bill is a disappoint- ment to Ann Arbor residents who believe in equity for all its citizens. Even more disturbing was the 75- 24 passage of Senate Bill 583 in the Michigan State Assembly. Flying in the face of all democratic processes, this bill prohibits com- munities from enacting local rent control ordinances and becomes ef- fective as soon as Governor Blan- chard signs it into law. Rammed through the legislature with heavy lobbying on the behalf of state landlords, the bill effectively guts the Detroit rent stabilization campaign. With rent control ordinances illegal, Michigan landlords will not have to spend money trying to defeat the referendum on the August ballot. Whatever one's opinion of rent control, a statewide ban on rent control ordinances is fundamentally undemocratic. Even Mayor Cole- man Young and the Detroit Free Press, rent control foes, have up- held the principle that its adoption should remain in the control of lo- cal communities. Undoubtedly, the same Congressional representatives who favor state regulation of rent ordinances would balk at analogous regulations governing corporations. The constitutionality of Senate Bill 583 should be challenged in a court of law. Unless it is rescinded - and unless the national Omnibus Housing Bill receives Congres- sional approval - dark days and cold nights lie ahead for renters and the homeless. A recent MIT study estimates that the United States will lack 7.5 million units of low-cost housing by the turn of the century and nearly 19 million Americans could be out on the streets without any sort of shelter. This situation is unacceptable but not inevitable; however, recent state and national legislation make overwhelming poverty and homelessness a very real and frightening prospect. South Africa update NEW DEVELOPMENTS related to South Africa have occurred which warrant special attention. The Michigan legislature passed a bill which would require the State's pension fund to divest itself from firms doing business with South Africa. Hopefully, this bold move will be paralleled in Congress, which will soon consider legisla- tion that would impose a compre- hensive trade embargo on South Africa and require most U.S. firms to divest. Congressional represent- atives should be encouraged to vote in favor of these sanctions. In addition to these events, a three day general strike called by Black South African trade unions ended last week. Police killed seven Blacks in the resulting civil unrest. The strike was among the largest ever staged there, despite the two year long state of emergency that South Africa is under: a sign gov- ernment clampdowns are failing. Many workers did not go to work yesterday either, as it was the 12th anniversary of the Soweto uprising. On June 16, 1976, thousands of Black students were leading a peaceful demonstration against the use of Afrikaanas in school (Afrikaanas is the language of the white South Africans) when South African troops opened fire on the crowd, killing over 1000 demon- strators. Over 90 percent of Black commuters stayed away from work to mark the 12th anniversary of the massacre - a further indication that white South Africa is fighting a losing battle. Across the globe in London, Nelson Mandela, the symbolic leader of the African National Con- gress, was honored in a benefit concert at Wembly stadium last week. It is a little-known fact that the CIA, because of its "respect" for international law, tipped off the South African police on the where- abouts of Mandela 26 years ago, leading to his arrest.