The Eradication of Illicit The Eradication of Illicit CropsCrops

(and alternative agricultural development)(and alternative agricultural development)

http://www.un.org/ga/20special/presskit/http://www.un.org/ga/20special/presskit/themes/altdev-6.htmthemes/altdev-6.htm

DefinitionsDefinitions

Eradication = to remove or destroy Eradication = to remove or destroy

Illicit = illegalIllicit = illegal

Coca leaf: makes cocaineCoca leaf: makes cocaine Opium: makes heroinOpium: makes heroin Cannabis: makes marijuanaCannabis: makes marijuana

HistoryHistory

Drugs made from natural plants, like cannabis or Drugs made from natural plants, like cannabis or heroin, are the most widely abused substances in the heroin, are the most widely abused substances in the world. 2.5% of the whole world’s population abuse world. 2.5% of the whole world’s population abuse cannabis; the most dangerous, heroin and cocaine, are cannabis; the most dangerous, heroin and cocaine, are abused by 8 to 13 million people. abused by 8 to 13 million people.

The illicit production and trade are detrimental to The illicit production and trade are detrimental to national economies and to the social and political national economies and to the social and political well-being of nations. The money made by drug well-being of nations. The money made by drug trafficking allows them to corrupt and destabilize the trafficking allows them to corrupt and destabilize the economies and institutions of countries in various economies and institutions of countries in various parts of the world. parts of the world.

Steps in the Drug CycleSteps in the Drug Cycle

Illegal growing of the cropsIllegal growing of the crops Illicit trafficking Illicit trafficking Diversion of chemical precursors Diversion of chemical precursors Operation of illicit drug laboratories Operation of illicit drug laboratories Money-laundering Money-laundering Organized crime Organized crime

Some Countries InvolvedSome Countries Involved Illicit cultivation of cannabis happens everywhere and seems Illicit cultivation of cannabis happens everywhere and seems

to be stable; but production of opium and cocaine, which is to be stable; but production of opium and cocaine, which is concentrated in certain areas, increased during the ‘70s and concentrated in certain areas, increased during the ‘70s and ‘80s. ‘80s.

Almost 90% of opium and heroin originates in Southern Asia. Almost 90% of opium and heroin originates in Southern Asia. The two major opium growing countries are Afghanistan and The two major opium growing countries are Afghanistan and Myanmar, with Laos in third. Some illicit cultivation of opium Myanmar, with Laos in third. Some illicit cultivation of opium also takes place in Colombia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, also takes place in Colombia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Thailand and Vietnam.

Bolivia, Colombia and Peru are 98% of the world's coca leaf Bolivia, Colombia and Peru are 98% of the world's coca leaf suppliers. Small-scale cultivation also occurs in Brazil, suppliers. Small-scale cultivation also occurs in Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela.Ecuador and Venezuela.

More Countries…More Countries…

In the rural areas of Asia and Latin America, about In the rural areas of Asia and Latin America, about 700,000 families depend on money from the 700,000 families depend on money from the cultivation of coca leaf and opium poppy.cultivation of coca leaf and opium poppy.

The drug trade often helps them to cope with food The drug trade often helps them to cope with food shortages, but economic dependence on illicit crops is shortages, but economic dependence on illicit crops is not sustainable in the long run. not sustainable in the long run.

The farmers are open to exploitation at the hands of The farmers are open to exploitation at the hands of middlemen, and face the threat of forced eradication.middlemen, and face the threat of forced eradication.

Plan of Action!Plan of Action! History shows that there is no single way to eliminate the History shows that there is no single way to eliminate the

cultivation and production of illicit crops. Even when cultivation and production of illicit crops. Even when alternative development projects are successful, some growers alternative development projects are successful, some growers keep growing. keep growing.

They must understand that there is a risk associated with illicit They must understand that there is a risk associated with illicit crop cultivation. Therefore, this plan which was considered at crop cultivation. Therefore, this plan which was considered at the Special Session stresses the importance of integrating the Special Session stresses the importance of integrating alternative development programs and law enforcement alternative development programs and law enforcement measures.measures.

Law enforcement measures are necessary at every stage of the Law enforcement measures are necessary at every stage of the drug cycle. Moreover, when organized crime is involved in drug cycle. Moreover, when organized crime is involved in cultivation, measures such as eradication, destruction of illicit cultivation, measures such as eradication, destruction of illicit crops and arrests may be appropriate.crops and arrests may be appropriate.

More of that Plan…!More of that Plan…!

To maximize their impact, alternative To maximize their impact, alternative development programs should: development programs should: Contribute to sustainable social and economic Contribute to sustainable social and economic

opportunitiesopportunities

Be linked to national development planning to Be linked to national development planning to ensure sustainable political and economic ensure sustainable political and economic integration of areas involved in illicit cultivation integration of areas involved in illicit cultivation

Be adapted to the conditions prevailing In a given Be adapted to the conditions prevailing In a given project area project area

Be based on a community-participation approach, Be based on a community-participation approach, involving indigenous knowledge, skills, interests involving indigenous knowledge, skills, interests and needs. Local communities should commit and needs. Local communities should commit themselves to reducing illicit crops until they are themselves to reducing illicit crops until they are eradicated eradicated

Contribute to the promotion of democratic values Contribute to the promotion of democratic values to encourage community participation and the to encourage community participation and the development of a civic culture that rejects illicit development of a civic culture that rejects illicit cultivation cultivation

Build enduring local institutionsBuild enduring local institutions

Observe environmental criteriaObserve environmental criteria

Enable women and men to participate equally in Enable women and men to participate equally in the development process the development process

Include appropriate demand reduction measures Include appropriate demand reduction measures where a drug abuse problem exists. where a drug abuse problem exists.

Getting Everyone On BoardGetting Everyone On Board The elimination of illicit crops cannot be achieved without full The elimination of illicit crops cannot be achieved without full

involvement of the international community. Governments, international involvement of the international community. Governments, international organizations, NGOs, regional development banks and the financial sector organizations, NGOs, regional development banks and the financial sector all have a role in this common endeavor. all have a role in this common endeavor.

Long-term financial and political commitments are required. Long-term financial and political commitments are required.

The establishment of a global monitoring system, based on commonly The establishment of a global monitoring system, based on commonly agreed goals and objectives, is critical. The system would combine remote agreed goals and objectives, is critical. The system would combine remote sensing technologies with other techniques, such as ground surveys, to sensing technologies with other techniques, such as ground surveys, to provide an ongoing assessment of the impact of alternative development provide an ongoing assessment of the impact of alternative development programs. At the same time, monitoring of the areas at risk would prevent programs. At the same time, monitoring of the areas at risk would prevent the "balloon effect" from nullifying the overall impact of eradication the "balloon effect" from nullifying the overall impact of eradication programs by reacting rapidly against illicit cultivation in new areas.programs by reacting rapidly against illicit cultivation in new areas.

Alternative AgricultureAlternative Agriculture

Since these farmers in poverty are being Since these farmers in poverty are being encouraged to stop the growth of illicit crops, encouraged to stop the growth of illicit crops, they should in turn be encouraged to grow they should in turn be encouraged to grow legal crops.legal crops.

http://www.alternativeagriculture.org/http://www.alternativeagriculture.org/

Other Websites Other Websites

http://www.un.org/ga/20special/presskit/themehttp://www.un.org/ga/20special/presskit/themes/altdev-6.htms/altdev-6.htm

http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop-monitorihttp://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/crop-monitoring/index.htmlng/index.html