Tackling international narcotics trade

Transcription

1 8 th session of Budapest International Model United Nations Tackling international narcotics trade Introduction A drug is defined as a substance that causes a change in the state of mind by acting on the central nervous system. The current world drug problem consists of the production, trafficking, and usage of illicit narcotic drugs. It is estimated that globally, up to 272 million people aged between 15 and 64 have used drugs in the past year. Currently, cannabis is the most widely produced drug, followed by cocaine and heroin, though production of these two drugs has decreased in recent years, whereas production of amphetamine type stimulants (ATS) has increased to a point comparable to heroin. Battle against the trade of illicit drugs is an ongoing global struggle. Large expenditures on repressive actions have failed to lessen supply and consumption. The UN s inadequate one-size-fits-all approach has created a black market for drugs worth more than $300 billion USD. Additionally, as the illegal market serves as a lucrative source of income many people willing to engage in such activities 1. History Drug use has been a part of human civilization for thousands of years, originally used for religious, medicinal, and recreational reasons. It has become an issue in the 20th century when advances in chemistry allowed natural drugs to be refined into more effective forms, such as heroin, and artificial synthesized drugs. Today almost every country has made these drugs illegal, though the laws may vary. The Birth of International Drug Control By the 19th century, the United States began to have an opium problem of their own, as Chinese immigrants brought the practice of opium smoking with themselves, and it was customary to use opiates as painkillers. In addition to this, many newly created medicines, such as laudanum, contained opium extract, and morphine soon became a popular cure for opium addiction. Hence the USA to begin trying to eradicate opium use in the late 1800 s. In 1909, the US sponsored the world s first international drug control conference in China, the Shanghai Opium Commission. 1

2 In 1912, the Hague International Opium Convention was signed by 11 countries and was later signed and ratified by 56 additional nations by The 1936 Convention for the Suppression of the Illicit Traffic in Dangerous Drugs, though not widely accepted, was significant in that it was the first treaty to criminalise the manufacture and distribution of drugs. Post WWII In 1946, the United Nations created the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Within the following years, new synthetic compounds and opium poppy was internationally regulated. The 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs created the INCB (International Narcotics Control Board) to monitor the enforcement of regulations. In 1972, the convention was amended to include the rehabilitation and treatment of drug users instead of criminal actions. Synthetic Drugs The advancements of chemistry and pharmacology allowed the production of whole new synthetic and semisynthetic drugs such as ATS and LSD. These drugs were regulated under international law in the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances also targeted the chemicals used to create synthetic drugs. [Narconon] Statement of problem Relationship between financing of terrorism and illicit narcotics trade; narcoterrorism Financing of terrorism involves the collection of funds to support terrorist acts or illegal organizations. Therefore, the primary goal of individuals or entities involved in financing terrorism is to conceal the sources of the funds the nature of financing the financed activity. Money laundering through organizations disguised as charities is frequent and it was once the largest source of terrorist funding; however, nowadays it is illicit drug trade. In addition to providing funds, illicit drug trade undermines the political, economic stability of the targeted countries and damages the physical and mental health of their citizens. According to the UNODC's World Drug Report 2007, the total potential value of the Afghanistan's 2006 opium harvest was approximately $3.1 billion, which serves as the primary source of income of the Taliban terrorist groups

3 Narcoterrorism is a major threat to our world. The term, first coined by Peru s former president, Belaunde Terry, was used to describe terrorist attacks on Peru s drug enforcement police. The term soon became broadly used to define terrorist acts by drug traffickers and drug trade by terrorist groups as a way of funding their activities. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) defines narcoterrorism as the participation of groups or associated individuals in taxing, providing security for, otherwise aiding or abetting drug trafficking endeavors in an effort to further, or fund, terrorist activities. The methods of narcoterrorism are employed by groups such as the Colombian FARC or the previously mentioned Taliban in Afghanistan 3. Bloc Positions Central Asia The opium market is currently dominated by Afghanistan, particularly in terms of export to Western Europe and Russia. In 2009, about 6,900 metric tons were said to have been exported from Afghanistan. Afghanistan is also the main exporter of heroin, shipping to places such as Pakistan, Iran and Western Europe. Growing demand for cannabis resulted in an increase of Afghanistan s cannabis-based trade thus it will soon be the largest supplier of Central Asia. 3

4 The Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries was created by the UNOCD to help Central Asian countries combat illicit drug trade by improving border patrol and information sharing between countries of drug dealers and shippers whereabouts. Other past efforts in Central Asia include the Paris Pact Initiative, Triangular Initiative, Rainbow Strategy and Central Asian Regional and Information Coordination Center 4. East Asia and Pacific UNODC has The Regional Programme for East Asian and Pacific Countries focusing on the enhancement of constitutionality and jurisdiction while also improving healthcare to improve living conditions. However, the drug trade is still flourishing due to lack of resources needed for effective intervention. The Programme utilizes Global SMART (Synthetics Monitoring: Analysis, Reporting and Trends 5 ) Programme to develop, assess and report data on synthetic drugs, enabling countries to plan prevention and effective law enforcement responses. South America South American countries are the transit countries for cocaine and the main suppliers of North American countries and Europe. Most illicit drug trade is done by smugglers taking Colombian or Mexican drugs across the Mexico-U.S border - an estimated 95% of all cocaine arriving in the USA is smuggled through Mexico. In addition, 70% of drugs from Colombia leave by sea towards Europe. The UNODC s Regional Program for Central America deals with drug-related issues in the region. Efforts of this programme include the Santo Domingo Pact/SICA- UNODC Mechanism which works to enhance regional and national laws against drug trafficking and organized crime, develops analyses of organized crime and drug trafficking trends in regions, and aims to establish a sound partnership for assistance and information networking. There are also regional programs aimed to provide treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration of victims. Middle East and Africa The UNODC s Regional Programme for the Arab States comprises three diverse and culturally distinct geographical areas, the Middle East region, the Maghreb and the Gulf States. Due to considerable differences in levels of development, economics, politics, legal systems and culture, actions and operations should vary in each region. 4 web.pdf 5

5 Currently the Programme aims to strengthen law enforcement and improve the countries legislation and drug control capabilities through providing training and equipment and enhancing criminal justice systems. Operations however are considerably difficult due to regional instabilities such as tensions between Israel and Palestine or Iran and Saudi Arabia, or the Yemeni civil war. The turmoil in the area provides opportunities for transnational organized crime, as indicated by increasing incidences of illicit trafficking of drugs, which accompanied by inadequate performance of the criminal justice system leads to issues with drug and crime control becoming more and more prominent. In Africa, The Economic Community of West African States, supported by UNODC and the United Nations Office for West Africa, in partnership with the European Union, works to establish the basis for a detailed framework to combat drug trafficking and organized crime and work towards peace-building, security sector reform, national institution building, but further actions are needed to ease the African drug epidemic. North America North America accounts for 40% of global cocaine consumption. Likewise, the use of MDMA, also known as "Ecstasy," has increased at an alarming rate in the United States over the last several years. U.S drug law enforcement agencies face an enormous challenge in protecting the country's borders as criminal groups operating from South America smuggle cocaine and heroin into the United States through the border. Mexico is the main supplier by flooding the illegal market with cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and marijuana 6. Evaluation of Previous Attempts to Resolve the Issue One of the ways to resolve the drug issue is the international War on Drugs initiative, which aims to completely eradicate the production, distribution and consumption of illegal drugs. Although it has achieved several of its goals, it has also increased rates of violence in nations such as Mexico or Brazil where drug cartels thrive despite severe police measures. With the growing number of drugrelated incarcerations,prisons become overcrowded which requires substantial governmental resources. Another way is the example of Portugal, where the possession and use of all narcotics has been decriminalized (production, trafficking and dealing remaining illegal), rates of death from overdose and drug related HIV cases have dropped dramatically since the change. Instead of punishment, drug addicts are given medical help and rehabilitation, which has been reported to be a success, as it did not lead to an increase in drug use, but in fact statistics show a decrease in drug use among the youth. 6

6 Definition of Key Terms Amphetaminetype Stimulants (ATS): A new class of drugs synthesized in a laboratory, sometimes marketed as ecstasy. These are affordable and easily accessible thus they are popular among consumers. Cannabis: The most widely produced drug in the world, also known as marijuana. Opium: A natural drug made opium poppies, usually smoked or eaten. Opium can be refined into more potent and addictive drugs, such as heroin and morphine. Hard Drugs: Drugs that pose a large threat to public health, such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy. Soft Drugs: Drugs that do not pose as large a risk to public health, such as cannabis. Further readings Should you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at unodc@bimun.hu. Please also submit your position papers of about words to the same address by March 18th.