Bulletin on narcotics
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Bulletin on narcotics · Jan 1987
Co-ordinated countermeasures of Caribbean countries against the illicit drug traffic: recent developments and prospects.
The illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances presents a growing threat to the Caribbean countries and territories. The geographical location of the Caribbean subregion between the areas in South America producing illicit drugs and lucrative illicit markets in North America and Europe is an important factor contributing to an increasing involvement of the subregion in illicit drug trafficking operations. In addition, the archipelagic configuration of many of the countries and territories of the Caribbean makes it easier for traffickers to escape law enforcement action, thus providing a further stimulus to international drug trafficking. ⋯ The Governments have also made increasing efforts to improve international and bilateral co-operation to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse. The decisive efforts of Caribbean Governments, however, are impeded, on the one hand, by the limited availability of trained professional manpower and of the technical and economic resources required to combat drug trafficking effectively, and, on the other hand, by the superior financial and technical capacity of the international drug trafficking organizations. The provision of technical and financial assistance by the international community to the countries and territories of the Caribbean is therefore needed to help overcome these constraints and to enable them to cope with the increasing drug problems in the subregion.
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The article focuses on countries and areas of South-East Asia, which are seriously affected by drug abuse and the problems associated with it. Opium has traditionally been used for treating illnesses and alleviating physical and mental stress, as well as for recreational and social purposes. The prohibition of the sale and use of opium in Burma, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand forced many habitual opium users to switch to heroin. ⋯ Studies have also shown that the abuse of manufactured psychotropic substances has been increasing and that heroin addicts resort to these substances when heroin is difficult to find. The article also briefly reviews the history of opium use in China and the history of drug abuse in Japan, particularly with regard to the problem of methamphetamine abuse, which has appeared in two epidemic-like waves. The first followed the end of the Second World War and disappeared at the end of the 1950s; the second reappeared in 1975 and since then has gradually been increasing in size.
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The Government of the United States of America recognizes the serious threat of illicit drug abuse and trafficking and the associated economic costs and social destruction. The United States Government is waging a major battle to fight drug abuse and is working to lower demand at home through education and prevention, detoxification and treatment, and research as well as to lower supply through bilateral and multilateral crop eradication programmes. The Government is also working to lower supply within the United States through a campaign of illicit drug traffic interdiction of unprecedented size and scope. Among the actions taken to counter the illegal trade were: the creation of the South Florida Task Force headed by the Vice President; the establishment of 12 Organized Crime/Drug Enforcement task forces around the country; the setting up of the National Narcotics Border Interdiction System; the increased use of military resources to assist law enforcement agencies; and the initiation of a widespread cannabis eradication programme involving aerial spraying of paraquat.
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Bulletin on narcotics · Oct 1983
Recent trends in illicit drug trafficking from the Canadian perspective.
Parts of south-west Asia where opium is illicitly produced have recently become the principal source of supply of heroin to Canada, accounting for 79 per cent of this drug on the illicit market. Heroin from parts of south-east Asia is expected, however, to regain a greater share of the market in the next few years. That may result in increased availability of heroin in Canada. ⋯ An illicit demand has been created for the more potent preparations of cannabis. The dramatic increase in armed robberies perpetrated by criminal groups to procure manufactured drugs is a relatively new and alarming trend. The illicit drug market in Canada is largely controlled by organized criminal syndicates.
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Bulletin on narcotics · Jul 1982
Misuse of psychotropic substances: outline and recommendations of a conference held in London in March 1980.
A conference was held in London in March 1980 on the use and misuse of psychotropic substances. The conference noted that there was a preponderance of medical practitioners who prescribed psychotropic substances. The topics covered ranged from the extent of use of psychotropic substances to the effects of their use in producing different types of morbidity. Consideration was given to controls of psychotropic substances, including steps to reduce their misuse without restricting their legitimate use.