INTERNATIONAL NARCOTIC CONTROL EFFORTS AND POLICIES AS SEEN IN CONGRESS

• NCJ Number: 58559
• Journal: Contemporary Drug Problems Volume: 6 Dated: (WINTER 1977) Pages: 479-490
• Author(s): J L NELLIS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: Federal Legal Publications, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A BRIEF HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO CONTROL NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING, PARTICULARLY AS IT HAS AFFECTED THE UNITED STATES ILLICIT DRUG MARKET, IS OUTLINED, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER ACTION ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

ANY EFFECTIVE ACTION DESIGNED TO STEM THE FLOW OF NARCOTICS INTO THE UNITED STATES MUST INCLUDE WORK WITH OTHER NATIONS TO SOLVE MUTUAL PROBLEMS IN THE AREA OF NARCOTICS CONTROL. VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS AND ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO DEAL WITH NARCOTICS TRAFFICKING INCLUDING THE UNITED NATIONS FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL (UNFDAC) ESTABLISHED IN 1970. UNFDAC WAS DESIGNED TO FUND A CONCERTED EFFORT AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AT THREE CRITICAL POINTS--SUPPLY, ILLICIT TRAFFIC, AND DEMAND. UNFDAC WAS TO HELP COUNTRIES STRENGTHEN THEIR EFFORTS TO INTERDICT OPIUM THROUGH REGIONAL COOPERATION AND TO DEVELOP OPIUM ERADICATION, CROP SUBSTITUTION, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. SINCE 1975, THIS ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY USEFUL IN CONTROLLING TURKISH OPIUM, AND NEUTRALIZING 'FRENCH CONNECTION' REFINERIES. BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCE OF MEXICO AS A PREVALENT SOURCE OF HEROIN, THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON NARCOTICS ABUSE AND CONTROL WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE 94TH CONGRESS, AND IN 1977, IT PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JOINT MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMISSION TO COORDINATE THE ANTINARCOTICS ACTIVITIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. WHILE THE CONTROL EFFORTS HAVE REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF NARCOTICS FLOWING ACROSS THE BORDER, THE TRAFFICKING IS STILL SUBSTANTIAL. ALSO, DURING THE LAST 2 YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY PROPORTIONATE INCREASE IN HEROIN EMANATING FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA AS OTHER MARKETS CONSTRICTED, AN INCREASE THAT HAS BEEN TOO POWERFUL TO BE CONFRONTED BY TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONTROL. FURTHER, ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WORLD'S ILLICIT OPIUM IS NOW GROWN IN THE HIGHLAND REGIONS OF NORTHEAST BURMA. UNITED STATES EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THIS SOURCE ARE EXAMINED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH SUCH TRAFFICKING IS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO INVOLVE ITSELF IN A PREEMPTIVE BUY BY NEGOTIATING TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE SUPPLY FOR 4 OR 5 YEARS, WHILE AN INCOME SUBSTITUTION PLAN IS DEVELOPED FOR THE FARMERS. (RCB)