Introduction
International drug trafficking is among the global societal problems that have drastically grown over the past several decades. The drug trade has become one of the world’s major industries, with devastating effects around the globe. The market for illegal substances is one of these businesses’ most prominent and most lucrative. The global drug trade, estimated to be worth over $500 billion annually, has persisted for over forty years (Jenner, 2011). As a multifaceted sector, the drug trade aims to meet the industry’s incessant demand at every stage, from production to consumption, with the drug trafficking phase being the most problematic (Jenner, 2011).
The global community has tried various approaches to combat the expanding drug trafficking industry and the illegal activities it supports. For instance, the United Nations formed the current worldwide drug control system in three separate treaties. While international drug trafficking continues to expand and increase damage, governments worldwide have devised ways of curbing the problem by introducing mitigation measures to stop production at the source and pursuing and persecuting drug traffickers. Thus, it is crucial that states join forces at the international level for a regional fight against the illegal sale of drugs.
Background Information
It is significant to note that illicit drugs are widespread in the wonderful world. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noted in 2008 that between 155 million and 250 million people worldwide have taken these substances at least once in their lifetime (Srubar, 2015). At the same time, the drug trade is becoming increasingly globalized due to advances in technology and increased trade routes. Moreover, it is of concern that the power of drug traffickers is constantly growing and that they are influencing the economic and political affairs of cities. As a consequence, this has led to violence, corruption, and ineffective laws. It should also be noted that most of the illegal substances are heroin and cocaine, they are concentrated in Russia and Western Europe.
Drug trafficking has a negative impact on the economic and political stability of nations globally, as well as the personal lives and communities of their citizens. Consumers and addicts are frequently the targets of a shady industry’s deceptive practices. One major threat to political stability is the growing influence and power of drug traffickers in some nations, which gives them the capacity to influence politics through corruption and violence (Srubar, 2015).
The government of the United States argues that through complex networks of shell companies and other financial gimmicks, drug traffickers hide their multibillion-dollar criminal enterprises from authorities and avoid detection (United States, 2021). Whitehouse claims that the drug trade has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans and incalculable suffering in Rhode Island and elsewhere (United States, 2021). From 1989 to 1991, countries like Colombia, Afghanistan, and Myanmar, experienced extreme anti state violence or the breakdown of national authority linked to the narcotics trade.
However, most of the drug trade does not engage in political activism of its own but chooses to coexist with and manipulate the state through corruption. One common form of corruption in Colombia and Latin America is the attempt by criminal organizations to buy influence and power at the top levels of government (Lee,1995). The rise of modern narcotics businesses has aided criminal authorities at the cost of proper state authorities. For instance, when it comes to matters of law and order, such as the protection of property rights and the upkeep of essential community programs, traffickers typically side with the police. However, police who lead government drug trafficking police raids or operate for direct competitor trafficking agencies are often targeted for assassination.
The drug trade’s economic effects are felt most strongly through legalizing the money from illegal drugs for taxation. There are varying trends across countries. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security thinks that opium and heroin smugglers put very little of their profits toward projects that help the Chinese economy. Almost all of the profits from drug sales are laundered through banks in non-communist Asian countries, and the small amount that makes it back home is typically spent on high-end real estate, furnishings, technology, and jewelry. Law enforcement officials in Russia estimate that the narcotics trade provides seed money for a significant portion of the country’s small, lawful businesses, including shops, restaurants, and fruit stalls. Different nations worldwide have come up with mitigation measures to curb this problem.
Solution
For the fight against drugs to be effective, it has to be conducted at an inter-regional level. Therefore, international organizations like the United Nations must obtain data from states on the patterns of drug use, the methods of drug importation, and the states that stimulate the drug business (Flynn, 2000). This is because the drug trade is a global business with huge profits. Illicit money flows that support this business undermine the economies of member states and increase the perceived and actual dangers to foreign direct investment and confidence in international development efforts. Accordingly, it is essential to deal with the drug problem in certain regions in a sectoral manner. This will help to destroy illegal schemes and stop the supply of drugs to other states.
The heroin trade in the southern direction is the accumulation of illicit trade flows south of Afghanistan, creating a favorable environment for organized crime. Thus, it leads to corruption and is considered a key source of funding for the Taliban, which is a threat to regional security and stability. At the same time, drug trafficking also originates in Central Europe and Mexico. As a consequence, the UN may convene a special commission consisting of the states most affected by drug trafficking. Representatives of the different states can share the methods they adopt at the state level and define a common strategy.
It is important that solutions are negotiated specifically from the problems and peculiarities of the region. This will make it possible to fight the drug business effectively. For example, the states affected by the flow of drugs from Russia may share data on the owners of the drug business and the structures that protect it (Lee, 1995). Accordingly, they can impose general sanctions on them to reduce drug smuggling. Consequently, this fight at the state level will significantly reduce the number of drugs in circulation. Moreover, it is combined with national laws and programs because national legislation is aimed at detecting and punishing the abuse, importation, and illicit trafficking on the territory of a particular state. Meanwhile, international efforts would be directed at fighting on a global scale to reduce the negative impact on states.
Moreover, it should be noted that regional cooperation is a proven way. Thus, expanding regional cooperation to an international scale will improve the results, as evidenced by the cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico. It is important to note that the U.S. is constantly plagued by illegal drug trafficking into the country from Mexico. Mexico also has various problems that have recently become critical. For example, in 2017 there were a record number of murders in Mexico. Meanwhile, most of them were caused by drug problems (Realuyo, 2019). Violence and illegal schemes that shape human and drug trafficking have also increased.
Thus, the U.S. and Mexico have joined forces to stop the crisis in Mexico. At the same time, it will have a positive impact on the level of drug abuse in the U.S., it will decrease, because in Mexico, certain regulations will begin to take effect. Accordingly, the proposed solution to the problem will be viable because the concept of unification of states will be applied at the level of the UN. Moreover, the struggle will be with different regional groups using different methods, depending on the specifics of the region. In addition, states would be given a platform to negotiate and join forces.
Interpretation of Statistical Data
Flynn (2000) points to the idea of combating drug trafficking through small groups with a common strategy. However, the validity and reliability of these findings is due to the fact that stimulation was provided to several groups of students in the classroom. Thus, the groups in conditions similar to UN discussions proposed solutions to the problem. Then, it can be argued that the proposed solution was verified in this way.
The groups had only 75 minutes to thoroughly examine and solve the problem. In addition, the time was broken down into different phases, such as 5 minutes to study the problem. In this way, the children were able to provide effective solutions in a limited amount of time. Also, there is a certain bias to the method presented in Flynn (2000), because the students also played the roles of drug traffickers and their advisors in order to gain a better understanding. In reality, it cannot be certain that children can appreciate the thoughts and actions of such people.
Furthermore, Lee (1995) notes that the drug industry ranks first in the world in the illegal circulation of money and receives 200 to 300 billion dollars. The author also divulges the problem that Colombia produces about 70 to 80 percent of the world’s cocaine production. Similarly, states such as Poland, China, Russia, Azerbaijan, and the Baltics. States supply amphetamines. It can be argued that the study is valid and reliable because the author used scientific sources and reports to obtain the data. Moreover, Lee (1995) also indicates the years when analyzing the problematic points, which confirms the data’s validity.
Although, this study has a bias at this point, which concerns its relevance. Therefore, the analyzed data from the years 1980 and 1990, in most cases, are no longer relevant; for example, Poland has become a European state and did not participate in the large-scale trafficking of drugs.
Realuyo (2019) uses data from government and international reports, so it is accurate, relevant, and valid. Thus, the author can estimate the potential heroin production in Mexico and the fight against it. The production is 81 metric tons, and Mexican forces seized about 13 metric tons of cocaine and 26 metric tons of methamphetamine. Thus, this data suggests that the fight against the drug business through unity of effort with the United States is successful. However, the studies are not biased; therefore, the author used reliable and up-to-date and performed a proper analysis. It should be noted that all three studies analyze reliable data and focus on different aspects of combating the problem. Their disadvantage is that the authors need to prescribe sound solutions for tackling the drug business. Therefore, further studies need to provide recommendations in a sectoral way.
Ethical Consequences
It is significant to note that increased international scrutiny will reduce the pressure on the courts in the United States. Thus, judges can pay more attention to cases that are now commenced and harmonize practice on the issue of incomplete crimes (Dabb, 2021).
This is because most of the cases that could entail statutory violations will manifest themselves before the crimes are committed. The negative consequence of the proposed solution is that cooperative efforts at the international level may not be affected by globalization (Storti & De Grauwe, 2009). That is, the drug business can be significant and needs to be eradicated from within states. On the positive side, the ethical implications will prepare a superior judicial system to impose fair punishments. At the same time, the public will spread the word of a serious fight against drugs, which would deter small traders. On the negative side, big business will continue to grow and will encourage corruption and bribery of officials through significant funds.
Conclusion
Therefore, to successfully combat the development of the illicit drug trade, it is essential to combine efforts at the international level. Accordingly, assembling the forefathers of states that have problems with the consequences of the drug business will highlight regional difficulties and work together to combat them. Moreover, this will lead to the fact that they will make a strong effort to prevent drug trafficking in certain regions. In this way, it will reduce the burden on the bodies that fight drug trafficking within the state that has entered their territory.
References
Dabb, N. L. (2021). The United States Sentencing Commission attempts to expand the career offender guideline: The addition of inchoate offense to the definition of controlled substance offense. Iowa Law Review, 107, 1745.
Flynn, S. E. (2000). Drug trafficking, the international system, and decision-making constraints: A policy-making simulation. International Studies Perspectives, 1(1), 45-55.
Jenner, M. S. (2011). International drug trafficking: A global problem with a domestic solution. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 18(2), 901-927.
Lee III, R. W. (1995). Global reach: The threat of international drug trafficking. Current History, 94(592), 207.
Srubar, B. (2015). Breaking bad policy: Shifting US counter-drug policy, eliminating safe havens, and facilitating international cooperation. Houston Journal of International Law, 37, 197.
Storti, C. C., & De Grauwe, P. (2009). Globalization and the price decline of illicit drugs. International Journal of Drug Policy, 20(1), 48-61.
United States: Whitehouse Applauds Biden Orders Tackling Transnational Organized Crime, Narcotics Trafficking. And Illicit Finance (2021). Mena Report. Web.