Drug control under threat: UN
The control of the international drug scene is under threat
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Friday, 27, Jun 2008 12:01
The United Nations (UN) has today claimed that the control of the international drug scene is under threat.
In its annual drug report, the UN office on drugs and crime (UNODC) claimed the surge in opium and coca cultivation and the risk of higher drug use in developing countries is threatening to undermine recent progress made in drug control.
Executive director of the UNODC Antonio Maria Coasta claims: "Recent major increases in drug supply from Afghanistan and Colombia may drive addiction rates up, because of lower prices and higher purity of doses."
The World Drug Report 2008 is described by its authors as "sounding an alarm" about the very recent surge in drug supply.
Afghanistan is reported to have had a record opium harvest last year, leading to world's illegal opium production almost doubling since 2005.
A similar scene is being witnessed in Colombia, where coca cultivation increased by a quarter in 2007.
"In Colombia, just like in Afghanistan, the regions where most coca is grown are under the control of insurgents", Mr Costa declared.
Worldwide the cannabis market is stable or even slightly down. The production of cannabis herb is estimated to be down by some eight per cent compared to 2004 and cannabis resin production declined by 20 per cent between 2004 and 2006.
The UN though raised concern at the fact that Afghanistan has now become a major producer of cannabis resin.
And today's report confirms there had been a "systemic shift in major drug routes".
"The threat to poor nations is certainly there. Weak governments cannot face the onslaught of powerful drug barons, or drug addiction. The attack must be pre-empted by technical assistance, better drug prevention and treatment, and more cooperative law enforcement," Mr Costa said.
"States in the Caribbean, Central America and West Africa, as well as the border regions of Mexico, are caught in the cross-fire between the world's biggest coca producers [the Andean countries] and biggest consumers [North America and Europe].
"Drug money corrupts governments, and even turns into terrorist financing. Promotion of the rule of law is the best way to fight the drug trade."