NCJ Number
131318
Date Published
1986
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The Organization of American States held an Inter-American Specialized Conference on Traffic in Narcotic Drugs in 1986 to discuss illegal drug production, trafficking, and consumption.
Abstract
The conference recognized drug trafficking and abuse as one of the most serious problems in the hemisphere. The program of action devised by conference participants to deal with the problem is based on seven principles: (1) socioeconomic development cannot flourish in an environment that is not conducive to personal dignity, democracy, and State security; (2) the main goal of socioeconomic development is to improve living standards and quality of life; (3) drug abuse prevention is related to socioeconomic development; (4) policies to reduce the demand for drugs, prevent drug abuse, and combat illegal drug trafficking must be included in the socioeconomic development policies of member states; (5) each State has sovereignty in determining its drug policies; (6) drug trafficking is a threatening global phenomenon; and (7) international cooperation is vital to effective drug regulation efforts. The conference recommended that top priority be given to reducing the demand for and abuse of drugs, that epidemiological and other studies be conducted to identify the causes and prevalence of drug abuse, that programs be developed for drug addict treatment and rehabilitation, and that government mechanisms be developed for supervising and controlling drug use. The conference also recommended actions to combat drug production, including legislative approaches; controls on the manufacture, import, and export of precursor chemicals; cooperation among judicial, police, and customs agencies; and illegal crop eradication. An Inter-American Drug Control Commission is proposed to implement the program of action.