NCJ Number
181107
Date Published
2000
Length
161 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the main themes of the Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Leadership Conference (November 3-5, 1999), during which national drug policy leaders and delegations from 34 countries of the Americas heard presentations on a variety of drug-related topics and held comprehensive discussions on how to address new challenges in the new century.
Abstract
Report on patterns and trends in drug use in the western hemisphere noted more widespread use of drugs, with many countries seeing significant levels of drug use for the first time. Globalized drug consumption has created two-way trafficking, with plant-based drugs going north and precursors, amphetamines, cash, and designer drugs going south. Research and science have documented the public health impact of drug abuse and addiction. This has led to a focus on drug addiction as a treatable brain disease, with social and behavioral aspects. An assessment of current and future trends in drug trafficking concluded that illicit drugs are now, and will continue to be, the leading source of income for organized crime groups. Law enforcement priority is being given to money laundering by such groups, requiring that law enforcement personnel be trained in the investigation of financial crimes and the use of asset forfeiture laws. Conference discussions of law enforcement strategies for the future addressed the nature of effective drug laws, international cooperation, the creation of regional databases, greater use of technology, and new government technical capabilities. The conference also focused on the social and economic costs of drug abuse, future challenges to drug control policy, and a multilateral evaluation mechanism (MEM). The latter involves the development and use of a standardized mechanism for measuring drug consumption, treatment effectiveness, the effectiveness of controlling drug and chemical trafficking, and the effectiveness of efforts to counter money laundering. The following agreements were reached during the conference: alternative measures for minor drug offenses should be discussed at the next meeting of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; and the next Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Leadership Conference will be incorporated into a future meeting of the Commission.