South American Drug Traffic: Domestic Impacts and Foreign Policy Implications (From Handbook of Drug Control in the United States, P 207-227, 1990, James A Inciardi, ed. -- See NCJ-126319)

• NCJ Number: 126330
• Author(s): R B Craig
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Greenwood Publishing Group
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

International narcotics trafficking is discussed in terms of its domestic and international implications, with emphasis on Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia.

Abstract

The production, manufacture, and export of cocaine and, in Colombia, marijuana, have had major impacts on these three nations' social and economic systems. Drugs have become important components of their economies, and domestic drug abuse and the violence associated with drug smuggling are major problems. The governments' efforts to address the problem have varied from country to country. The United States has exerted great pressure for crop eradication, dismantling drug laboratories, and interdiction. However, the United States policy toward Colombia contains several inherent contradictions and is complicated by the tendency of the United States to make unilateral decisions within a bilateral framework. Future United States policy should balance priorities between supply and demand, with greater emphasis on demand reduction and law enforcement within the United States. 31 reference notes