Bolivian Marching Powder: The Drug's History And Effects

Bolivian marching powder is a slang term for cocaine. The term was popular in the 1980s and 1990s when Bolivia and Peru were the world's leading cocaine-producing countries. The term appears in several books, including Jay McInerney's 1984 novel Bright Lights, Big City, and Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho. It also lends its name to a 2003 book by Rusty Young about Thomas McFadden, a convicted drug trafficker who ran tours inside Bolivia's San Pedro prison.

Bolivian marching powder is a euphemism for cocaine

Bolivian marching powder is a well-known euphemism for cocaine. The phrase is believed to have originated in the 1980s, a time when Bolivia and Peru were the leading producer countries of the drug.

The term 'Bolivian marching powder' is referenced in several works of fiction, including Jay McInerney's 1984 novel, 'Bright Lights, Big City', where the protagonist describes the effects of the drug on their mind:

> "Your brain at this moment is composed of brigades of tiny Bolivian soldiers. They are tired and muddy from their long march through the night. There are holes in their boots and they are hungry. They need to be fed. They need the Bolivian Marching Powder."

The phrase also appears in Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel, 'American Psycho', where the character McDermott is dressed in a "wool suit by Lubiam with a linen pocket square by Ashear Bros." before "about to toss a coin to see which one of us is going downstairs to fetch the Bolivian Marching Powder".

In addition to its appearance in literature, 'Bolivian marching powder' is also the title of a non-fiction book by Rusty Young, detailing his experiences in Bolivia's San Pedro prison. The book describes the prison as a place where "corrupt politicians and drug lords live in luxury apartments, while the poorest prisoners are subjected to squalor and deprivation". It also mentions that "cocaine—'Bolivian marching powder'—makes life bearable" for the inmates.

Given its prevalence in popular culture and its historical context, 'Bolivian marching powder' is clearly a euphemistic reference to cocaine.

Bolivia and Peru were the leading producers of cocaine in the 1980s and 1990s

"Bolivian marching powder" is a euphemism for cocaine. Bolivia and Peru were the leading producer countries of cocaine through most of the 1980s and 1990s. The eastern slopes of the Andes in these two countries remain the main coca-growing areas. However, much of the upper Amazon is dotted with plantations, some of which stretch across the lowland plains, while others remain hidden in the forest.

The coca plant, which grows as a shrub or tree, is cultivated using well-grown cuttings or seeds. Between six and 18 months after planting, the elliptical leaves can be harvested, and the plants continue to produce for up to 30 years. Yields vary according to the variety grown, soil, climate, and level of investment in the plantation. While the Tingo Maria area in the eastern foothills of the Peruvian Andes can produce six harvests a year, the average is three to four. Even with minimal inputs and attention, one hectare of mature coca plants can produce a ton of coca leaves in 12 months. It takes 300 pounds of coca leaves to produce one pound of cocaine.

In recent years, Bolivia has become one of the world's leading cocaine manufacturers. In 2019, Bolivia's coca cultivation totalled 42,180 hectares, a 28% increase over 2018, with a commensurate 20% increase in cocaine production potential, bringing it to 301 metric tons. The Yungas region is the largest coca cultivation area in Bolivia, while the Chapare region is the second largest.

Bolivia has also become a "strategic hub" for cocaine trafficking. The reorganization of drug trafficking routes has made the country's geography an asset for traffickers. In 2023, almost 33 tons of cocaine were seized in Bolivia, compared to 20.3 tons in 2022, and more than 1,800 factories have been destroyed since 2020. However, these figures also indicate an alarming trend, as the amount of drugs in circulation is skyrocketing.

Cocaine is referenced as 'Bolivian marching powder' in several books

Cocaine is referenced as "Bolivian marching powder" in several books. The term appears in Jay McInerney's 1984 novel, "Bright Lights, Big City," where the main character describes the effects of cocaine on the brain. The phrase also appears in Robert Emmet Long's 1986 book, "Drugs and American Society," where it is listed as a synonym for coke.

In addition, "Bolivian marching powder" is referenced in Bret Easton Ellis's "American Psycho" and Mark St. Amant's "Sleepless in Florence." The term is also used in a 2021 article in "The New York Times" by Maureen Dowd, who contrasts the fictional world of Halston with reality.

Furthermore, "Bolivian marching powder" is central to the 2003 memoir, "Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail," co-authored by Rusty Young and Thomas McFadden. The book details Young's experience backpacking in South America and his encounter with McFadden, a convicted English drug trafficker who ran tours inside Bolivia's San Pedro prison. Young joined one of McFadden's illegal tours, and the two formed an instant friendship, deciding to collaborate on a memoir of McFadden's experiences in the jail.

The book reveals the inner workings of San Pedro, where inmates are expected to buy their cells from real estate agents, and where the poorest prisoners endure squalor and deprivation while corrupt politicians and drug lords live in luxury. The prison is also a site of constant violence, with some sections housing cocaine laboratories. "Bolivian marching powder" is what makes life bearable for the prisoners, and even the prison cat is addicted.

The book 'Marching Powder' details Thomas McFadden's experiences in a Bolivian prison

"Bolivian marching powder" is a euphemism for cocaine.

The book "Marching Powder" details Thomas McFadden's experiences in a Bolivian prison. It is a non-fiction book written by Australian author Rusty Young, based on the true story of Thomas, a British-Tanzanian man who was caught with five kilos of cocaine in his suitcase at La Paz airport in Bolivia and sent to San Pedro prison.

Rusty Young, a 24-year-old law graduate, was backpacking in South America when he heard about Thomas, a convicted English drug trafficker who ran tours inside San Pedro Prison. Intrigued, Rusty went to La Paz and joined one of Thomas's illegal tours. They became instant friends and decided to partner up to record Thomas's experiences in the jail. Rusty bribed the guards to allow him to stay in the prison for three months, sharing a cell with Thomas.

The book covers Thomas's story, from his arrest at the airport, where his contact sold him out, to his difficulties with the Bolivian justice system and the corruption of the court process. It also details how Thomas's situation improved after he was incarcerated in San Pedro. On a chaperoned night away from the prison, Thomas met an Israeli backpacker and told her stories of his life in prison. Word spread, and Thomas was able to start a tour business within the prison. Backpackers even stayed overnight to take advantage of the cheap cocaine produced in the prison's labs.

The book also describes the unique conditions of the prison. Inmates were expected to buy their cells from real estate agents, and some ran shops and restaurants. Women and children lived with imprisoned family members. While corrupt politicians and drug lords lived in luxury, the poorest prisoners suffered in squalor and deprivation. Violence was a constant threat, and sections that echoed with children's laughter during the day became busy cocaine laboratories at night.

The book "Marching Powder" is a gripping account of Thomas McFadden's experiences in San Pedro Prison, providing insight into the unusual prison conditions and the South American drug culture.

The movie rights to 'Marching Powder' were purchased by Brad Pitt's company

"Bolivian marching powder" is a euphemism for cocaine. The term comes from the fact that Bolivia was one of the leading producers of the drug in the 1980s and 1990s.

The movie rights to the story of Thomas McFadden, a British-Tanzanian man who was caught with five kilos of cocaine in his suitcase at La Paz airport in Bolivia, were purchased by Brad Pitt's company, Plan B Entertainment. The book, titled "Marching Powder," was written by Rusty Young and details McFadden's experience of being incarcerated in San Pedro prison and running tours inside the facility. The unusual prison conditions outlined in the book fuelled its popularity, with one reviewer commenting that it was "hard for a Westerner to comprehend that these are actual events".

The film adaptation of "Marching Powder" has been in development since 2014, with few details released about its production. Chiwetel Ejiofor is set to play McFadden, replacing Don Cheadle, who was originally cast in the role. José Padilha was also considered to write and direct the film, but it is unclear whether he is still involved.

The story of Thomas McFadden is a captivating and intense narrative of life inside one of South America's strangest jails. It is a story of friendship, cocaine, and the unique and often unbelievable conditions of San Pedro prison. The book provides a glimpse into a world that is difficult for Westerners to imagine, with its in-house cocaine factory and capitalist system facilitated by bribery.

With its intriguing premise, the "Marching Powder" movie has the potential to be a captivating and intense cinematic experience, bringing to life the incredible true story of Thomas McFadden's experience in the Bolivian prison system.

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