DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM - INTERNATIONAL POLICY

• NCJ Number: 54853
• Journal: International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 34 Dated: (1978) Pages: 43-51
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: United Nations
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PREPARED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT

Annotation

AN INTERNATIONAL OVERVIEW OF THE DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM AND ITS LINKS TO CRIME IS PRESENTED, AND EFFORTS BY THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL BODIES TO DEAL WITH DRUG ABUSE ARE SUMMARIZED.

Abstract

BASIC CONCEPTS UNDERLYING DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL ARE OUTLINED, THE MOST BASIC BEING THE NOTION THAT SOCIETY HAS THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE RISK TO ITSELF, AND CONSEQUENTLY TO THE INDIVIDUAL, ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF CERTAIN DRUGS. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE AND CRIME IS EXAMINED. PROBLEMS IN DISTINGUISHING AMONG CLASSES OF DRUG OFFENSES AND OFFENDERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE GROWING NUMBER OF SITUATIONS IN WHICH TRAFFICKERS ARE ALSO USERS, ARE DISCUSSED. THREE LINKS BETWEEN DRUGS AND CRIME ARE NOTED: THE ACTUAL CONSUMPTION OF ILLICIT DRUGS; ILLEGAL ACTS COMMITTED TO OBTAIN MONEY TO BUY DRUGS; AND THE CREATION, THROUGH CONTACTS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL MILIEU, OF AN INCREASING NUMBER OF 'SEMIPROFESSIONAL' CRIMINALS WHO TRAFFIC IN DRUGS. THE DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS OF THE FOLLOWING UN BODIES ARE SUMMARIZED: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, THE FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL, THE DIVISION OF NARCOTICS DRUGS, THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD (A TREATY ORGAN), AND SPECIALIZED UN AGENCIES (E.G., THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION, AND THE SOCIAL DEFENSE RESEARCH INSTITUTE) THAT HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN DRUG CONTROL EFFORTS. OTHER INTERNATIONAL BODIES--THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE ORGANIZATION, THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, THE INTERNATIONAL ARAB NARCOTICS BUREAU OF THE LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES, AND THE NONGOVERNMENTAL INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND ADDICTIONS--AND THEIR DRUG CONTROL ACTIVITIES ARE NOTED. THE NEED TO COORDINATE THE EFFORTS OF THE MANY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN THE FIELD OF DRUG CONTROL IS EMPHASIZED, AND A UN PROPOSAL TO EFFECT SUCH COORDINATION IS OUTLINED. (LKM)