In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly special
session (UNGASS) reviewed the existing global drug control policy and decided to
continue with elimination and prohibition: to reduce the cultivation of the coca
bush, the cannabis plant and the opium poppy by 2008, and to punish dealers and
users.
In March 2009, the UNGASS meeting in Vienna admitted to losing the global war on
drugs. The use of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other drugs had not decreased,
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis rates globally continue to escalate, trade often
expanded, and crop spraying in Columbia and Bolivia threatened public health.
Existing policies have indirectly created “a criminal market of macro-economic
size”, having an estimated value of $300 billion. They affect the health of
users and result in the murder of thousands, including innocent bystanders, as
drug cartels claim and defend economic turf. The U.S alone spends nearly $15
billion a year trying to eradicate the illicit drug trade.
Opposition to change comes from those who benefit - the prison industry, defence
companies and paramilitary firms - as well as voters who regard drug trafficking
and use as a criminal activity. If the war on producers, sellers and users has
failed, what can be done?
Antonia Maria Costa, head of the UN Office on drugs and crime believes that we
still need law enforcement. “But the heart of the matter is to bring back
health, prevention and treatment to the centre of drug control.” Replace fear,
prejudice and punitive prohibitions with common sense, science, public health
and human rights.”
Eight years ago, Portugal decriminalized marijuana, cocaine and heroin. It has
enabled them to manage drug related problems more effectively and .the nightmare
scenarios warned by decriminalization opponents have, quite plainly, never
materialized.”
Should we criminalize, eradicate, prohibit, assist or legalize? What is the best
way to remove the greed and the profit motive for the growers and the cartels,
and to assist those endangered by physical and existential pain? The problem is
multi-faceted, affecting people directly and indirectly all across society.
There are numerous questions, few clear answers and much to deliberate on.
Whatever the course of action of our own government or of international bodies,
we can expect controversy, opposition, and difficulties along the way – fitting
right in with the times!
