The internet has replaced the street corner for illicit drugs sales
The UN's ambition to eradicate drugs by 2110 is not going to happen! Not that it was ever a realistic idea. Thier watchdog, the International Narcotics Control Board (as if 'drugs' and 'narcotics' are even the same thing), knows this.
They have published a report oulining the difficulties.
The internet has replaced the street corner for illicit drugs sales
The abuse of prescription drugs in some parts of the world now rivals the use of all other illegal drugs, the UN's drugs watchdog has said. The issue is a major problem for the US, Canada and Mexico, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said in its annual report.
Drug crops replacement schemes had not been "very effective", it added, and alternative measures were needed.
The smuggling of drugs by mail also increased in 2005.
Internet pharmacies
The abuse of prescription drugs, especially painkillers and inhalants, was identified as a major issue for the three North American countries by the Vienna-based agency.
It expressed particular concern about the situation in the US, where it said numerous measures taken by the government had failed to stem the rise.
Users were from "all age groups, including schoolchildren", the report said, adding that nearly 8% of all Americans aged 12 and above were using illicit drugs.
"The sale of controlled drugs from illegally operating internet pharmacies" was part of the problem, the report said.
INCB President Hamid Ghodse said he feared the trend could develop in other parts of the world as well.
Schemes rethink
The report also said programmes to replace illegal drug crops with legal crops, particularly opium poppies and coca leaves grown by farmers in developing nations, had not been working well.
The schemes should be rethought and extended beyond rural communities to cities "mired in the drug problem", Mr Ghodse said.
However, the report acknowledged that most countries implementing replacement schemes had seen a drop in growth of illicit crops.
Afghanistan remains the world's top illicit opium producer
In Laos, the total area under opium poppy cultivation dropped by 75% from 1998 to 2004, while in Colombia, the total area under illicit cocoa bush cultivation decreased by more than 50% from 2000 to 2004.
The report said Afghanistan remained the top illicit opium producer, accounting for 87% of the world's supply in 2005.
The report also urged governments around the world to screen all routes of incoming and outgoing international mail.
It also recommended limiting the number of entry points for parcels to control consignments more effectively.
The report also highlighted the rapid increase in the use of the highly addictive synthetic drug methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth.
And the RCMP will replace the DEA as the watch dogs lol. But seriously, this story is great because it proves that humans quest for intoxication cannot be irradicated. It is instinct. It cannot be stopped. Swim will always find another way, no matter how many 'schemes' they throw at him.
IMO, it's more likely most drugs will eventually be legalized with certain requirements/restrictions than the chance they get 100% done away with. The ideas anyone will completely rid this world of illicit drugs is completely unrealistic.
01-03-2006, 02:39
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