Drugs FAQ part 4
The bulk of this document has been extracted from the book "THE CRUEL HOAX" by ELAINE WALTERS - Permission granted
The Questions:
- Why is the Swedish drug policy so successful?
- What kind of families do drug users come from?
- What role can the family play in drug education?
- What can parents do to prevent drug abuse?
- How can young people help in overcoming the problems associated with drug use in schools and in the community?
- What is the role of schools in drug education?
- Is there a drug problem in the Australian workforce.
- What role do the media play in shaping community attitudes about illegal drugs?
- But surely if street drugs were legalised there would be less crime and fewer criminal organisations?
- What is the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances?
- What power does the United Nations have to control the spread of illegal drugs?
- MYTH - Why the big outcry? Drugs aren't really a big problem.
- MYTH - 'Recreational' use of drugs is not harmful.
- MYTH -Marijuana is no worse than using alcohol or tobacco.
- MYTH - Everybody is taking drugs.
- MYTH - Only weak individuals become addicts.
- Drug abuse is a victimless crime - it only hurts the user.
- All drug addicts should be imprisoned.
- The cultivation of drug crops gives a poor farmer a chance to make money.
- Peddling drugs is one way the poor can earn money.
- Drug use is a way of life in some countries. Why change it?
- Why not let each country take care of its own drug trafficking problem?
- The problem is so vast that there may be no solution.
Answer 1:
Why is the Swedish drug policy so successful? Swedish policy is a triumph over the defeatist attitude of those who wish to normalise street drugs. As co-signatory of the international treaty to prohibit opiates, cocaine and cannabis, Sweden has taken its commitment to the eradication of the drug culture very seriously. It was at the instigation of Sweden that drugs such as amphetamines, sedative-hypnotics and hallucinogens were included with the other dangerous, mind-altering and dependence-producing drugs needing to be controlled under international law.
It was Dr. Nils Bejerot from the Swedish Carnegie Institute who first documented an analysis of modern society's obsession with drugs. He presented strong evidence to support the proposition that we are experiencing an epidemic of drug abuse. It is a social phenomenon which will pass, if correctly addressed.
Unlike the ad hoc and divisive policies of countries like The Netherlands, Sweden has evolved a successful strategy. Having made the mistake in the seventies of taking advice from pressure groups insisting on liberal policies, and, the subsequent burgeoning of the drug culture, the Swedish Government decided on alternative policies.
"The new direction introduced in 1980 and still in force, rules out any waiver of charges unless the amount possessed, for personal use, is so small that it cannot be divided - that is, at most, one joint of cannabis or one dose of amphetamines. Where possession of heroin, morphine, opium or cocaine is concerned, charges, in principle, are never waived. New legislation favouring compulsory rehabilitation and care, was introduced in 1992.
In the mid-1980s, Swedish drug policy was put to a crucial test. In the autumn of 1985 it was discovered that 142 drug users had become infected with HIV. The following year another 204 persons were found to have contracted the infection through I.V. abuse and there were fears that there could be a rapid spread of infection. An intensive debate flared up concerning the future organisation of drug policy. Should the drug-free care of users be retained, or should drug policy instead be aimed at limiting the social and medical damage - HIV infection, for example - of which the drug was the cause?
The Swedish Government rapidly decided that the restrictive line was to be maintained and at the same time the sights of drug control policy were raised. The Government decided that, in view of the AIDS problem, the aim of the drug policy should be to reach all I.V. users with detoxification, sampling and treatment. In other words, vigorous drug user care was looked on as the most effective safeguard against the HIV threat."
No doubt reformers would have scoffed in 1977 at the objectives of the Swedish Government, that is to become a drug free society. However, the undoubted success of the policy is an example which the rest of the world would be well advised to follow. There is no suggestion that any society could ever stop using street drugs altogether. However, setting high standards and striving to fulfil them has to be far better than depressing acquiescence to defeatists and negative policies which cannot even stand on their own merits and are presented as normalisation, harm minimisation, decriminalisation and other such euphemisms.
"Swedish drug policy is based on the assumption that the people who experiment with cannabis during their school years constitute a recruiting base for those who later become heavy drug users. The focus of drug policy on prevention has, in all probability, helped to keep new recruitment of heavy drug abusers very low for many years now.
Sweden is not a completely drug free society, but the target has been achieved in that use of drugs in Sweden occurs on a limited scale by international standards. Experimental use of cannabis and other drugs is very low, and the recruitment of young people into the drug culture has been low for many years."(6)
Answer 2:
What kind of families do drug users come from? Contrary to popular belief, drug users do not necessarily come from dysfunctional families. Despite the best social and economic conditions, some young people will still go ahead and use drugs until they become addicted. However, with parental guidance and correct drug education in schools, prevention can be accomplished in most children, most of the time. Some evidence suggests that genetic influences may make an individual more susceptible to the abuse of alcohol and drugs because of a family trait that is passed down from generation to generation. There are also anecdotal reports that children who are born to families having a significant amount of mental illness also have a greater risk of alcoholism and drug abuse. A number of studies indicate that a common perception of drug abusers is that their families are uncaring and unloving. However perception can be distorted by drug use and such claims should be treated cautiously. (100)
One hears a great deal about peer group pressure in relation to drug use. This is because it can be very strong, sometimes exceeding family influences. Possibly the most important deterrent to the expansion of the drug epidemic would be to influence social disapproval by oncoming generations. This will not be achieved by legitimizing the use of marijuana or any other street drugs.
74 What role can the family play in drug education? While drug education in schools, media reporting and community education all contribute to teaching the young about illegal drugs, the responsibility really belongs to the family. In the event that a child becomes involved in marijuana use, no matter what the reason, it is the entire family unit which is in trouble, not just the child. The burden of decision (what attitude will be taken towards illegal drugs), the enforcement (if rules are set about drug use then they need to be adhered to), and if necessary a cure, all need to be the responsibility of the family. It is the family, by reacting to the distress caused by a drug user, which can often make an enormous difference in expressing the serious effect of the drug on health and family life.
Answer 3:
What can parents do to prevent drug abuse? To be effective, parents must work together, because drug abuse is a community problem which demands community solutions. One way is to form a parent peer group with the parents of your children's friends. These groups are based on the idea that the most effective way to stop a child from using drugs is to stop his or her friends from using them too. When parents join together and take a united stand against drug abuse, they become much more effective than if they act separately.
It is important to educate parents and other adults about the scientific basis of drug and alcohol laws. Such evidence provides a consistent and credible rationale for enforcement of family, school and community rules. If a young person has problems which the parents believe are associated with drug use, it is very important to find a competent health professional. Unfortunately, many counsellors, psychologists, social workers and doctors are confused about the side effects of drugs, especially marijuana, and often recommend that marijuana can be used in 'moderation'. What this means exactly is never made clear. The informed parent, regardless of economic or educational level, often becomes a catalyst for broader community and political action when needed. Positive prevention strategies should focus on strengthening the capacity of ordinary people to prevent, diagnose and intervene in illegal intoxicant use which threatens the health and safety of their children. It has been demonstrated that collective parental peer pressure is generally successful in reversing negative adolescent peer pressure and even the indifference or ignorance of politicians and policy makers.
Parents need to be aware that denial is common among other parents, either because they are ignorant of their child's marijuana use or they fear being seen as inadequate. Unfortunately, the concept of parents being the cause of, or responsible for, their children's drug use is promoted by many who work in the area of drugs. They cite parents' use of legal drugs as a bad example, and even go so far as to suggest it is the reason for their children's drug use. This promotes guilt and fear in parents and can prevent them from confronting the problem. Young people will also often deny that they are using marijuana. This is a form of self-protection and is recognised as being one of the most consistent psychological effects of marijuana. Denial of course occurs with the abuse of most addictive drugs, including alcohol.
On the other hand, parents often feel guilty and intimidated, and the fear of appearing inadequate often deters parents from acknowledging that their children may be involved in drug use. There is plenty of cultural support for the drug scene in the entertainment industry, e.g. music, videos, etc. However, it is difficult to accept that illegal drug taking is a form of natural behaviour. The majority of people avoid such behaviour as the use of mind-altering substances is recognised as dangerous and inappropriate.
Answer 4:
How can young people help in overcoming the problems associated with drug use in schools and in the community? Young people are in daily contact and have an enormous impact upon each other, whether consciously or unconsciously. This is especially true during the adolescent years. The influence of peer group is especially significant at this time and can be a powerful tool for good or evil. It is therefore of critical importance to foster and train the natural leaders in positive ways of leadership, e.g. through having peer support programmes or other similar programmes in the school where students can be supported and encouraged to run essay/poetry/song-writing competitions with prizes donated by the local business community.
Poster competitions and T-shirts with anti-drug slogans are another creative way of using the popular teenage culture to good advantage. Seniors can put together a short programme which includes song and dance routines to promote a positive anti-drugs message - a "Get Smart, Don't Start" message to younger members of the school. The school may also involve the media in reporting drug education activities to the community. In fact, the ways of promoting the new "no use" attitude are limited only by the imagination. The key point is to ensure that:
Information is accurate and substantial.
The message is consistently "drug free is the way to be", i.e. no use of street drugs and no abuse of legal drugs.
Answer 5:
What is the role of schools in drug education? The most important role of teachers is to help prepare students to function as productive and happy people in an adult world. Since drug use is an impediment to achieving that goal, schools should be concerned and willing to take part in both primary and secondary prevention. Also, it is important that co-operation between home and school is achieved. After all, problems do not begin or end in either. Ideally, both school staff and parents should determine to eliminate drug use. Parents and teachers should be knowledgable about street drugs, particularly marijuana, because it is the most widely used of all illegal drugs. Educational programmes should start in primary school and continue in secondary school. School programmes should present facts about marijuana and its harmful effects with a caveat on exaggerated claims and scare tactics. Educational programmes should constantly be evaluated for effectiveness and improved upon when necessary.
Educating drug users is challenging but often unrewarding. It is certainly the least cost-effective use of drug-education resources. This is because users of central nervous stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine and crack have had the pleasure or reward mechanism of the brain intensely stimulated. Those who use depressant substances like heroin use them to avoid the pressures of living and experience great difficulty in modifying their drug using behaviour. For adolescent users the wish to belong, peer pressure and the desire for sophistication can often prove too difficult to overcome by education alone. (101)
Answer 6:
Is there a drug problem in the Australian workforce? There is a significant illegal drug use in the workforce. Many health professionals, journalists, public servants, lawyers, people in the television industry and on the factory floor are working below their potential because they are under the influence of illegal drugs, particularly marijuana. In some cases, the safety of fellow workers is at risk, especially where the operation of heavy, complicated equipment requires the use of complex motor skills. Public transport workers, car drivers and pilots put people at risk when their concentration and memory are drug impaired. There are also workers who are prone to 'magical thinking', an interesting mental condition associated with marijuana, (people believe they are thinking or performing extraordinarily well, when in fact, productivity and performance are below average).
We have a big problem in Australia with the use and abuse of illegal drugs. Federal Government statistics show that 57% of males between 20 and 39 years of age have tried marijuana, 15% have tried amphetamines, 8% cocaine, 8% heroin and 16 % hallucinogens. The same regimen of drug usage applies for females in the same age group, but to a slightly lesser degree.According to Dr. Gary Baxter from the National Analytical Laboratories Victoria:
"Our experience in conducting workplace drug testing for clients confirms a high level of illicit drug use. For example, pre-employment screening for positions in manufacturing industries reveal that 10-15% of all applicants are illicit drug users. Companies that have prevented these people from entering their workforce have noticed a marked increase in productivity. Recently we screened 452 employees for one client, of these 98 (22%) were found positive for cannabinoids and 6 (1.3%) positive for amphetamines."
Figures generated in the United States (and there is no reason why they cannot apply directly to Australia), show that compared to the non-user, workplace drug users are:
1. Involved in 3 to 4 times more accidents.
2. Absent from work up to 16 times more often.
3. Five times more likely to file a workers' compensation claim.
4. Function at slightly more than half of their normal capacity.
The cost of supporting a drug habit is high. In many instances drug users steal company property and/or merchandise to pay for their habit. Again, this loss of company property is another cost burden which a company need not carry.
Answer 7:
What role do the media play in shaping community attitudes about illegal drugs? With the exception of articles and television programmes about marijuana, most of the Australian media are responsible when reporting about illegal drugs. Unfortunately, some journalists and editors either use marijuana themselves or are in favour of a change in legislation and this often results in biased and unsubstantiated reports. Of course, in some instances, self-appointed experts give opinions which are not necessarily shaped by research ratified by the United Nations Commission on Narcotics or the international scientific community. Consequently press statements are interpreted by the general public as official whereas in fact often they are privately held opinions of particular journalists or editors.
It was through the inestimable power of the media that community attitudes towards cigarette smoking dramatically changed, and the result provides us with an excellent example of how effective a prevention strategy can be. When it became public knowledge that cigarettes were detrimental to the health of non-smokers because of passive smoking, the non-smokers began to express their intolerance of smoking in both social situations and the work place. If community drug education, as well as stating the detrimental side effects of street drugs, also focused on educating non-drug users on how other peoples' drug use affects them, self-interest would provide the impetus to accelerate social disapproval.
Answer 8:
But surely if drugs were legalised there would be less crime and fewer criminal organisations? It is the responsibility of Parliament to pass laws to protect the community from activities considered inherently dangerous or wrong; such as, shoplifting, vandalism, speeding, assault and rape. The destructive nature of illegal drug use on the mind and body, and the subsequent result of changes in behaviour (the association of violence and central nervous stimulants), cannot be eliminated by simply redefining this particular activity. It remains inherently dangerous, and this danger is exacerbated as more people become involved. It is now well established that when street drugs are freely available and socially acceptable there is an upsurge in use. Legalisation also conveys the message that the government condones, and then ends up supporting, an intoxicated lifestyle for a larger number of people. Consider the enormous national health debt incurred by the use of tobacco and alcohol. Why would any rational government legalise an activity which would increase this debt?
For a liberal policy to work effectively it would be necessary to remove sanctions on all drugs including the botanically derived substances of opium, coca leaf and cannabis and all synthetic drugs, i.e. amphetamines, PCP, LSD, ICE, ECSTASY and MDMA. In fact any psychotropic drug or designer drug would have to be available on demand. If not, a black market would still operate.
It is difficult to find an organ or a system in the body that is not damaged by street drugs, ranging from the possibility of a dangerous heart attack or stroke from the use of cocaine, to memory loss, organic brain damage and psychosis which can result from the use of marijuana.
One of the greatest difficulties associated with the drug issue is the comparison of these health-related problems with the harm associated with crime and corruption. Since there is no basis for comparison, the debate becomes frustrating and futile. However, historical precedent and the experience of other countries demonstrate that, on balance, it is better to maintain legal sanctions and concentrate on drug education in an effort to eliminate the demand. Legislative activity rarely, if ever, eliminates criminal activity of a particular type. But the object of legislation is to reduce the level of activity to a degree that can be tolerated by the community.
In 1994 Great Britains Institute for the study of Drug Dependence commissioned a study about the relationship between heroin and acquisitive crime. The researchers stated that "...widely quoted estimates of acquisition crime are no longer tenable". Their estimate was between 1 and 21 percent. They said that a more accurate estimate could not be made due to the difficulty of obtaining relevant data. Nevertheless such an estimate falls far short of the claims made by those who are urging changes in legislation because of the huge numbers of heroin related crimes.(101)
Answer 9:
What is the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances? Led by the United Nations, governments are working closely together to curtail the problem of illegal drugs. Originally there was no social stigma associated with drug addiction and the dimensions of the drug problem were such that societies could cope with them. Drug-taking was generally confined to a small community, well within geographic locations and cultural settings. Together with expansion of trade and communications came the first trafficking in narcotic drugs. By the 19th century, it was no longer possible to contain the use of a drug to any one location in the world and, by the 20th century, it was obvious that steps had to be taken to limit the flow of drugs from one country to another as the resulting problems became increasingly apparent. International co-operation in the field of drug control began in the early part of the 20th century when, in 1909, the first attempts to limit the shipping of narcotic drugs were made. International drug treaties concluded between 1912 and 1972 provide the legal basis for the present international drug control system. In the period following 1912, the narcotics control system grew rather haphazardly and by 1960 had become overly complicated. This led to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which consolidated most of the earlier international agreements. The Convention is regarded as a major achievement in the history of international efforts to control narcotics.
The Single Convention prohibits the practices of opium smoking, opium eating, coca-leaf chewing, hashish (cannabis) smoking and the use of the cannabis plant for non-medical purposes. A period of transition was established to allow governments to overcome the difficulties that could arise from the abolition of these ancient practices. The convention also obligates countries which signed the treaty to take any special control measures deemed necessary in the case of particularly dangerous drugs, such as heroin and cocaine. The Single Convention has been recognised as a flexible and effective instrument and consequently it has been widely accepted.
The Single Convention was further strengthened by the 1972 protocol which amended it and was implemented in 1975. The protocol underscores the necessity for increasing efforts to prevent illegal production, trafficking in and use of narcotics. It also highlights the need to provide treatment and rehabilitation services to drug abusers, stressing that treatment, education, after-care, rehabilitation and social re-integration should be considered as alternatives to, or in addition to, imprisonment for addicts who had committed a drug offence. The protocol places special emphasis on the role of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in drug control, giving it responsiblity for ensuring a balance between supply and demand of narcotic drugs for medical and scientific purposes and in endeavouring to prevent illegal drug use, cultivation, production, manufacture and trafficking. With the agreement of the governments concerned, INCB may recommend that the relevant United Nations' organisations and specialised agencies provide technical or financial assistance to enable those governments to carry out their treaty obligations. The amended convention also stresses the need for co-operative and co-ordinated international action in dealing with the problems associated with prohibited psychotropic drugs.
Until 1971, only narcotic drugs were subject to international control. Growing concern over the harmful effects of psychotropic substances, amphetamine-type drugs, sedative-hypnotic agents and hallucinogens, all man-made and capable of altering behaviour and mood and of creating harmful dependency effects, led in 1971 to the adoption of the convention on Psychotropic Substances. This Convention, adopted by a Plenipotentiary Conference held in Vienna in January and February 1971 under the auspices of the United Nations, placed those substances under the control of international law. By this convention, which was implemented in 1976, the international drug control system was considerably expanded to include hallucinogens, such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and mescaline, stimulants, such as amphetamines, and sedative-hypnotics, such as barbiturates. (102)
Answer 10:
What power does the United Nations have to control the spread of illegal drugs? Much has already been achieved through the international drug control system, the basis of which was laid in 1909 by the Shanghai Conference. Since then the system has been strengthened by the adoption of a number of conventions and protocols. The Single Convention and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances constitute, at present, the foundation of this system.
The preamble of the Charter of the United Nations includes as a fundamental principle the promotion of social progress and better standards of life.
In order to improve drug control systems, efforts are made to:
Gain wider adherence to the international drug control treaties, through diplomatic efforts by the Secretary-General.
Ascertain, through the Secretary-General, the reasons why countries have not become parties to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Apply the provisions of the treaties by the enactment of comprehensive national laws and regulations, and by their vigorous implementation in both exporting and importing countries.
Examine in depth, within the framework of the Commission, whether the international system of drug control is working satisfactorily.
Assist national authorities, through the United Nations, in the complete implementation of their treaty obligations.
Improve the system of scheduling and re-scheduling of psycho-active substances by the commission in co-operation with WHO.
Study the adequacy of control of psychotropic substances, within the framework of the commission, and consider introducing a system of estimated requirements in the convention.
Establish and maintain special national administrations as required by the treaties, adopt policies, co-ordinate action and liaise with similar units in other countries, as well as with regional and international bodies.
Examine the fundamental aims, objectives and control principles of the 1971 convention, and in particular study:
-Whether existing controls over psychotropic substances are adequate;
-Whether a system of estimates is feasible and should be added to the convention;
-What guidelines should apply to the scheduling and rescheduling of psychotropic substances, including action designed to encourage the full use of measures of protection against the import of unwanted substances provided for in article 13 of the 1971 Convention.
Continue reporting to the board by national authorities on the qualities of psychotropic substances manufactured, imported, exported and legitimately consumed.
Examine in depth the working of the 1961 Single convention to determine where improvements are needed in the system for scheduling and rescheduling under the terms of that convention and thereafter, in the light of the above studies, consider within the framework of the commission the advisability of merging the 1961 Single Convention and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances into one single treaty.
Encourage governments to exercise more effective control over pharmaceuticals containing psychotropic substances within the guidelines provided by the WHO programme on essential drugs.(103)
Answer 11:
MYTH - Why the big outcry? Drugs aren't really a big problem. The facts....... They are a tremendous problem, the seriousness of which is becoming more apparent every day. There are millions of drug users throughout the world abusing all sorts of illegal substances. These people are damaging their health and well-being and jeopardizing their chance for a healthy and productive life. Furthermore, there are billions of innocent victims of drug abuse - families of users, communities, employers and societies. The problems caused by drug abuse and illicit trafficking are among the most serious facing the world today, threatening future generations and thus, the future of life.
Answer 12:
MYTH - 'Recreational' use of drugs is not harmful. The facts....... All illegal drugs are dangerous and cause physical and psychological changes in the user. Prolonged drug use exacerbates these harmful effects and can lead to addiction. The health hazards of these drugs are very real; for much the same reason, prescription drugs should always be properly administered and used only on medical direction.
Answer 13:
MYTH - Marijuana is no worse than using alcohol or tobacco. The facts....... Marijuana is very dangerous. Unlike alcohol, which usually leaves the body within 24 hours because it is water-soluble, marijuana is fat-soluble, which means that the psychoactive chemicals attach themselves to the fatty components of cells (particularly in the brain and reproductive organs) and can be detected up to 30 days after initial use. Extensive research has indicated that marijuana impairs short-term memory and slows learning, interferes with normal reproductive function, adversely affects heart functions, has serious effects on perception and skilled performance, such as driving and other complex tasks involving judgement or fine motor skills, and greatly impairs lung and respiratory functions. A marijuana cigarette contains more cancer-causing agents than the strongest tobacco cigarette.
Answer 14:
MYTH - Everybody is taking drugs. The facts....... This common argument is used by drug users in an effort to gain acceptability for their deviant behaviour. No matter how alarming drug use statistics may be, the majority of the people of the world do not use drugs. Peer pressure is always difficult to cope with and it takes more courage and strength to stand up for what you know is right, and to resist drugs, when friends try to convince you that 'everybody is doing it'. In fact, everybody is not using drugs; those who use them are far less likely to have happy and productive lives than those who remain drug-free.
Answer 15:
MYTH - Only weak individuals become addicts. The facts....... The reverse is true: addicts become weak individuals. No one begins taking drugs with the aim of becoming addicted. People take drugs for a variety of reasons, including to escape from reality to cope with daily life, or to be accepted by others. Drugs are very seductive because, in most cases, they initially provide what the user is seeking. Their seductive quality is one of the strongest factors contributing to addiction. Consider cocaine, for example. There are increasing reports of professionals in all fields who admit to cocaine addiction. They experimented with it initially, so they say, with the intent of providing an occasional boost, and thought they could continue in the same manner. The drug addict often becomes so obssessed with obtaining more of the drug that he or she will exhaust money and assets, ruin marriage and family life, and lose a career before admitting to addiction, because of the mistaken view that only weak individuals become addicts. There is no safe way to use illegal drugs, even when done only occasionally.
Answer 16:
Drug abuse is a victimless crime - it only hurts the user. The facts....... While the above statement can be true, the following is also true:
The drug user whose health and concentration are impaired is: less productive in the workplace; will produce work of lesser quality - possibly endangering the safety of other workers or the customers; and more likely to be absent. A drug user obsessively-addicted might engage in criminal activity to support the habit. Throughout society there is suffering because of the self indulgence of drug addiction.
Answer 17:
All drug addicts should be imprisoned. The facts....... Imprisonment of a drug addict as such does not solve the problem. Drug users have broken the law, but detoxification, treatment and rehabilitation of the individual are essential if the addict is to learn to live without drugs. This approach includes responding to immediate and acute medical needs, with continuing availability of counselling and medical treatment, and of longer-term support in a non-drug environment. Placing an addict in prison does not cure the disease and when the addict is released he will usually return to a destructive and deviant lifestyle.
Answer 18:
The cultivation of drug crops gives a poor farmer a chance to make money. The facts....... The farmer is breaking the law and usually knows it. The income received by the farmer for illicit narcotics production, unfortunately, is higher than that received for traditional food crops, often leading to increased illicit production to the exclusion of food crops. This kind of illegal activity creates an artifically based cash economy, making the farmer completely dependent on the influx of money from drug dealers, putting him at the mercy of criminal traffickers and in opposition to the government.
Answer 19:
Peddling drugs is one way the poor can earn money. The facts....... Many drug peddlers are addicts or become addicts. The money they earn does not help them or their families- they are merely supporting a drug habit. As their addiction deepens, new clients must be found to bring in more money to buy more drugs. They thus seek new users for their products. Each street drug peddler is the last link in the corruptive chain of criminal activity, not only destroying lives but destroying neighbourhoods and terrorizing citizens as well.
Answer 20:
Drug use is a way of life in some countries. Why change it? The facts....... It is not a way of life in any country. Statistics show that in areas where drug use is common, economic development can be seriously retarded. This is true in both developing and industrialised countries.
Answer 21:
Why not let each country take care of its own drug trafficking problem? The facts....... Illicit growth of narcotic plants generally occurs in remote areas of producing countries, areas which are often beyond the effective control of the central government. The production of drugs in clandestine laboratories is also carefully hidden and the drugs can often only be detected when they are being distributed through the illicit trafficking networks. Furthermore, if laws against production and trafficking are strictly enforced in one country, the traffickers simply move to a safer location within the region. Without co-operative efforts among nations, it would be extremely difficult to curtail the activities of criminal trafficking organisations.
Answer 22:
The problem is so vast that there may be no solution. The facts...... The permissive and fatalistic attitudes of the past have allowed the drug problem to reach the epidemic proportions which we face today. The scope of the current narcotics problem goes beyond law enforcement and public health questions, posing a threat to economic and social order the world over. The problem transcends national boundaries. But there is reason to be hopeful; the nations of the world have recognised that drug abuse has grown at an alarming rate. Progress is being made in areas where intense and concerted pressure has been applied to all aspects of the problem - abuse, supply, production, trafficking and treatment. The drug problem cannot be solved in a day or a year, but with the active participation of peoples, organisations and nations, the problem can ultimately be solved.
