Problems stemming
from drug abuse and illicit trafficking have been growing at an
alarming rate over the past 50 years. During this period, the abuse
of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has increasingly
spread throughout the world, primarily among the young, crossing
all social, economic, political, and national boundaries. While the
extent of drug abuse varies from country to country and from one
population group to another within the same country, abuse has
spread to countries and population groups that had not previously
been involved, and has increased further in those population groups
where it already existed. The spread reflects expanded illicit
production and distribution. These trends are most likely to
continue and, given the known consequences of drug abuse, to have
significant adverse effects on public health and general social and
economic conditions.
Drug abuse severely
affects normal social functioning, intelligent and responsible
behaviour, and the ability and motivation to engage in the complex
tasks required in modern societies. Heavy drug abusers show very
pronounced tendencies toward inactivity, apathy and self-neglect.
Loss of interest in conventional goals and lethargy lead to
decreased productivity at school and at work. In addition to the
costs of drug- related crimes and incarcerations, heavy costs are
inflicted on national economies by disabilities, absenteeism,
accidents, and deaths due to drug abuse. Forms of drug abuse
are becoming increasingly complex: abuse involving two or more
substances is widespread and has become the predominant pattern in
a number of countries. The age of first drug use is falling from
adolescence to preadolescence and even earlier in some countries.
In the 1980s, there has been an alarming increase in the spread of
AIDS and certain other viral infections among abusers who inject
drugs and, subsequently, from abusers to the general
population through such modes as sexual intercourse.
Societies most likely will be faced with increasing demands for
resources to cope with problems related to AIDS, including more
effective programmes designed to prevent the transmission of the
virus through drug abuse. This demand will require more intensive
search for effective methods of prevention and treatment of drug
abuse, as well as broader implementation of such measures. At
present, methadone maintenance has, in some instances, shown useful
results in the process of treatment for opiate-addicted persons.
The usefulness of alternative programmes, such as free distribution
of sterilized needles and syringes, is being explored. In addition,
educational and other preventive programmes, designed to meet the
needs of various target groups, should be provided in all social
settings.
To cope effectively
with drug abuse problems in the years to come, traditional and
novel prevention and treatment forms will be required. In addition
to promoting traditional services, societies will make increasing
efforts to provide these new approaches:
(a) Broadly-based
educational programmes, in natural social settings, to help
individuals at risk to acquire necessary knowledge and confidence
to resist the temptation to use illicit drugs, and to increase
their ability to cope with day-to- day problems of
living;
(b) After-care and social
reintegration, especially with a view to reducing relapse rates
after completion of treatment and rehabilitation. Involving the
family, the local community and other appropriate forms of social
support will reduce relapse rates;
(c) Positive community response
to drug- related problems and community involvement in providing
readily available preventive and treatment services at as low a
cost as possible;
(d) Participation of youth in
preventive programmes and encourage the creation of conditions in
which young people can find scope for their capacities for social
integration and receive due recognition and support for their
activities.
The illicit supply
of and trafficking in drugs have also increased at an alarming rate
in most parts of the world over the past 20 years. The forbidden
cultivation of narcotic plants has grown to enormous proportions in
certain areas. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are
increasingly produced by illegal laboratories. Diversion from legal
sources into other channels adds considerably to the problem of
illicit supply of drugs. While strong law enforcement and advanced
technology may greatly improve a nation's ability to destroy these
crops, production in some areas is likely to continue unless
reasonable economic alternatives are offered to those involved.
Reducing the economic incentive to grow the crops, as part of a
long- term goal of eradicating illicit production, has increased in
strategic importance over the past decade. Future efforts will
require increased technical and financial resources for this
purpose.
Drug trafficking has
become very sophisticated and complex, involving organized crime in
a variety of illegal activities, including conspiracy, bribery,
intimidation and corruption of public servants, tax evasion,
banking law violations, racketeering, illegal money transfers,
import/export violations, smuggling of weapons, crimes of violence
and terrorism. Drug- related problems thus directly affect social
stability and public safety and are associated with social
disintegration.
Increasing the
efficiency of the criminal justice system in arresting,
prosecuting, and sentencing traffickers will effectively supplement
the activities of police and customs authorities. This process
includes strengthening legal tools to ensure appropriate penalties.
Depriving individuals involved in drug trafficking of their profits
has proven to be an effective countermeasure in various parts of
the world.
A number of
Governments have initiated vigorous and innovative methods for
disrupting drug- trafficking networks. These methods and experience
in using them can be shared with other Governments. In many cases
of drug trafficking, it is necessary to look for evidence in
countries or territories other than that where the accused
individual has been brought to trial. Therefore a international co-
operation is essential to ensure the effective prosecution of these
individuals and the removal of their illegally gained profits. An
important action being taken by the international community in this
regard has been the adoption in 1988 of a new United Nations
Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotr@pic Substances, which deals with those aspects of the
problem not covered in existing international drug control
treaties. The international drug control system will thus be
strengthened to cope more effectively with the drug-abuse challenge
in the 21st century.
The commitment of
the international community to strive for universal accession to
international drug control treaties and their strict implementation
will intensify co- operation through the United Nations to
strengthen each nation's handling of drug abuse and associated
problems. The Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future
Activities in Drug Abuse Control, adopted at the 1987 International
Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, provided a basis
for strengthening the international cooperation.
To summarize, fuller
participation of all elements of society in defining and achieving
the common goals of development has the potential to stimulate
motivation, innovation, and productivity. There is great potential
in further use of co- operative, self-help and community groups,
non-governmental organizations, and workers' participation in the
management of enterprises. Economic and social development can
benefit from greater autonomy for public enterprises, devolution of
power to local authorities, and new forms of partnership between
governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The reorientation
of welfare services towards mutual self-help, prevention,
rehabilitation, and income- generating activities is especially
significant in developing countries. Rapidly rising costs of social
welfare programmes have been a cause of concern in the developed
countries, as have their alleged inefficiencies and failure to
provide for those most in need. Institutionalization is being de-
emphasized in favour of community-based and family-based support,
prevention, and rehabilitation.
Progress towards
equality has wide implications for the future global economy and
society. Women make essential contributions to economic and social
life although many of their activities are not formally recognized,
especially their work in households, family farms and enterprises,
and in the informal sector. Greater productivity in such activities
could be a major source of increased well-being and economic
growth. With increasing life expectancy; and other changes in
the developing countries, many more women are likely to enter the
formal labour force.
In many developing
countries the need for social services is growing, but with
recession and economic decline in some areas, Governments are
seeking to maintain existing family support systems. Social welfare
programmes emphasize creating more income-earning
opportunities.
National economies
will suffer from the effects of crime, including the use of
legitimate or quasi-legitimate organizational techniques and
structures for illegal economic gain. The use of new techniques for
non-violent but illegal acquisition and use of money will grow and
significantly affect the economy in many countries.
Drug abuse and
illicit trafficking have spread throughout the world and are likely
to continue. Drug abuse, primarily among the young, crosses all
social, economic, and political boundaries. Its spread reflects
expanded illicit demand and production as well as the traffic in
drugs, which has become sophisticated and complex, involving
organized crime. The cultivation of narcotic plants has grown to
enormous proportions in certain areas of the world. While strong
law enforcement and advanced technology may improve a nation's
ability to destroy illicit crops, production in some areas is
likely to continue unless reasonable economic alternatives are
offered to those involved.
