Security in the Western Hemisphere Illicit Narcotics

The Basics A public policy issue in the 20 th Century POLICY OPTIONS  Supply-side v. demands side  Interdiction  Prohibition  Harm reduction  Decriminalization  Legalization

Perspective on the Study of Illegal Drug Philosophical Perspective The moral issues surrounding what individuals should and should not be able to cultivate, produce, transport sell and ingest. What is the proper role of government? The rights of the individual? The interests of the public at large? Criminal Justice Perspective If substances are declared illegal, the issue of what the laws are and how to enforce them come into play. Health Care Perspective There is also the fact the are pharmacological substances, the usage and/or abuse of illicit (and licit) substances have health care/medical implications, whether it be an issue of treating an addiction or understanding the effects of a particular substance. IR Perspective Since many of the substances in question come from outside the US (indeed, drugs are a global phenomenon) then questions of how to deal with narcotics producing countries is a significant issue. Public Policy Perspective In general the question of what the government should (and should not) and can (and cannot) do hovers above the entire conversation.

Problems Caused by the Drug Trade Crime Gang violence Familial problems Economic costs Money laundering Corruption of licit business Feeding guerrilla movements Funding terrorists

The Substances in Question Marijuana Cocaine Heroin

Weed One estimate of the market value of pot produced in the U.S. exceeds $35 billion. “Nationwide, the estimated cannabis production of $35.8 billion exceeds corn ($23 billion), soybeans ($17.6 billion) and hay ($12.2 billion), according to Gettman’s findings.” Source: LAT

Cocaine

The Coca Bush

Source: WDR 2009

Heroin

Sources 2005 Map: Cultivation numbers: ONDCP and WOLA via Marijuana market value info: Pot is called biggest cash crop - Los Angeles Times 2009 World Drug Report: