Security in the Western HemisphereIllicit Narcotics

The Basics

A public policy issue in the 20th Century POLICY OPTIONS

Supply-side v. demands side Interdiction Prohibition Harm reduction Decriminalization Legalization

Perspective on the Study of Illegal Drug

Philosophical Perspective  The moral issues surrounding what individuals should and should not be able to cultivate, produce, transport sell and ingest.  What is the proper role of government?  The rights of the individual?  The interests of the public at large?

Criminal Justice Perspective   If substances are declared illegal, the issue of what the laws are and how to enforce them come into play.

Health Care Perspective  There is also the fact the are pharmacological substances, the usage and/or abuse of illicit (and licit) substances have health care/medical implications, whether it be an issue of treating an addiction or understanding the effects of a particular substance.

IR Perspective  Since many of the substances in question come from outside the US (indeed, drugs are a global phenomenon) then questions of how to deal with narcotics producing countries is a significant issue.

Public Policy Perspective  In general the question of what the government should (and should not) and can (and cannot) do hovers above the entire conversation.

Problems Caused by the Drug Trade

Crime Gang violence Familial problems Economic costs Money laundering Corruption of licit business Feeding guerrilla movements Funding terrorists

The Substances in Question

Marijuana Cocaine Heroin

Weed

One estimate of the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds $35 billion.

“Nationwide, the estimated cannabis production of $35.8 billion exceeds corn ($23 billion), soybeans ($17.6 billion) and hay ($12.2 billion), according to Gettman’s findings.”

Source: LAT

Cocaine

The Coca Bush

Source: WDR 2009

Heroin

Heroin

Sources

2005 Map: http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200707/cocaine

Cultivation numbers: ONDCP and WOLA via http://www.cipcol.org/?p=422 Marijuana market value info: Pot is called biggest cash crop - Los Angeles Times 2009 World Drug Report: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/WDR-2009.html