DRUG ADDICTIONPolicy Approaches Taken To Reduce

Substance Abuse

Sydney Odhiambo

Riara University2015

@SydneyOdhiambo

Following a global increase in drug addiction, four major approaches have been taken to reduce the demand for illicit drugs, especially foreign sources of illicit substances.

Introduction

This involves reduction in the volume of narcotic plants and crops produced in foreign countries before the crops’ conversion into processed drugs.

Methods Applied.1. Eradication - physically uprooting the plant from

the farms or by biologically controlling agents.2. Purchase- illicit crops are purchased then

destroyed before they are processed.3. Seizure.4. Development of alternative sources of

income to replace peasant income lost by non-production of narcotics.

1.Expansion of Efforts to Reduce Production at The Source

Success of The Method. Eradication success was recorded in individual

countries such as Colombia for the period 2004/2005.

Explanation. It is easier to LOCATE and destroy crops in the

field than locating processed drugs on smuggling routes/ streets (in the US),

Advantage of bulk - A kilogram of cocaine hydrochloride is far more difficult to detect than the 300-500 kilogram of coca leaf required to make that same kilogram of cocaine.

Challenges Facing the Approach.1. Environmental damage- some fear that the use of

herbicides for illicit crop eradication will damage the environment. They suggest dev’t of biological control agents such as coca-destroying insects and fungi that do not destroy other plants.

2. Poor Political and Economic Tradeoffs- In other states like Mexico according to a Washington Times report, smugglers often are protected by heavily armed Mexican military troops and police who are said to have been handsomely paid to escort the drug traffickers and their illicit shipments across the border into the United States.

3. Traffickers have reportedly collaborated with terrorists and insurgent groups and reportedly funded political candidates and parties, high profile public personalities so as to cultivate support through a “Robin Hood” image.

Improving Political and Economic Tradeoffs. Use of sanctions or positive incentives.

How to Strengthen the Approach.

It have been Suggested that military personnel can be used to counter attack powerful trafficking organizations hence in countries outside the United States, military personnel have been involved in training and transporting foreign anti-narcotics personnel since 1983.

2. Expansion of Interdiction and Enforcement Activities to Disrupt Supply Lines/Expanding the Military Role.

How is this achieved by using the military personel?

According to National Defence Act-1990/91, the DoD promptly provide civilian law enforcement agencies with relevant drug related intelligence and intelligence networks dedicated to drug control. Direct command, control and communications authority comes from the President since the President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces.

- This is mainly to increase emphasis on development and implementation of programs worldwide that aim at increasing public intolerance for illicit drug use.

- To relevant programs, this is done through information, technical assistance and training in prevention and treatment so as to put emphasis on health dangers of drug use and danger to regional and national stability.

- This is supported by States Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy and AID.

- These programs should be increased and call for a more active role for the United Nations and other international agencies in development and implementation of such demand reduction programs.

3. Expansion of Efforts to Reduce Worldwide Demand

Challenge Facing the Approach The challenge is on tracking, separating out

and confiscating criminal assets.How? Tracking, separating out and confiscating

criminal assets is a challenge because it includes huge volumes of all international electronic transfers which is more than $2 trillion each day, movement of much legal money outside formal banking channels such as hawala-type chains of money brokers.

Substance Abuse StatisticsALCOHOL ABUSE BY URBAN & RURAL ADULS, AGE 18-25

METRO

HEAVY

DRINKING

LARGE R

URAL

SMAL

L RURAL

0102030405060

BINGE DRINKINGHEAVY DRINKINGDRINKING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

METRO HEAVY DRINKING

LARGE RURAL

SMALL RURAL

02468

10121416

BINGE DRINKINGHEAVY DRINKINGDRINKING UNDER INFLUENCE

ALCOHOL ABUSE BY URBAN RURAL YOUTH, AGE 12-17

METRO

RURAL AD

JACEN

T

LARGE R

URAL

SMAL

L RURAL

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

METHAMPHETAMINEOXYCONTIN

METHAMPHETAMINE & OXYCONTIC USE BY URBAN AND RURAL YOUTH, AGE 18-25

REFERENCE:

Conrad, H., Martin, W. And A΄΄ngga°rd, E. (1997). Drug addiction. Berlin: springler-Verlag