There is no obvious correlation between drug control efforts of the UN and an apparent 'recession' in the drug economy

Executive Director of UNODC, Antonio Maria Costa, said that there is a clear correlation between drug control efforts of the UN and an apparent 'recession' in the drug economy, although the report does not document this recession. Other studies in this market does not detect a significant influence of the drug control measures.

The World Drug Report 2007, presented June 26 to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is suffering from illusions about the efficacy of the drug led by the UN.

"The untimely information is hidden under the carpet, and the data that confirm the success message highlights an exaggerated expectation. This reflects the ambiguous position of UNODC as a political agent and a center of expertise, "says Tom Blickman, researcher at the Transnational Institute (TNI), a policy research institute international has spent a decade acting as an observer of the control agencies UN drugs and illicit world markets.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is in a dilemma. In reviewing the Special Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGASS) in 1998 on drugs next year, the Bureau wishes to prove that commitments to reduce the illicit supply and demand in 2008 are having an impact. However, most data on supply and demand proves otherwise.

In the preface to the report, the Executive Director of UNODC, Antonio Maria Costa, says there is a clear correlation between drug control efforts of the UN and an apparent 'recession' in the drug economy, although the report does not document achieves this recession. Other studies in this market does not detect a significant influence of the drug control measures. "The levels of opium and coca production have not changed significantly over the past decade, and indicators such as lower prices and higher purity of cocaine and heroin suggests an abundant supply," said Martin Jelsma, coordinator of TNI drugs program.

Data on cannabis and amphetamine type stimulants (EA) are so incomplete that any figure is only an estimate and unreliable. It assesses the status of cannabis based primarily on the case of Morocco, which is only one of 164 countries and territories where cannabis is grown.
"Despite record eradication measures, according to a White House, coca production in Colombia rose for the third consecutive year in 2006, which contradicts the figures provided by UNODC. In 2007, we expect a bumper crop of opium in Afghanistan, "says Jelsma.

In most European countries, according to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the predominant tendency in these 5 years has been a fall in street prices of cannabis, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. The Office of National Drug Control U.S. Policy (ONDCP) discreetly revealed that the price of cocaine on U.S. streets while purity fell also increased.
Although the UN report recognizes methodological problems to make a conclusive assessment of the world drug situation, chooses to transmit a message of success without foundation.
"The discrepancy between the evaluation of UNODC and other reports shows that one can not expect that the Office has made ​​an evaluation process of the world drug situation transparent, objective and balanced, unless it is combined with the peer review independent, "says Blickman.

Still, the report is showing some positive changes in speech. For the second year, UNODC speaks of 'containment' of the drug problem and not a 'drug free world'. Also, now seems to admit that the main problem is the 'problematic drug users', a small percentage of users of recreational drugs.
"Containment better reflects the reality and the recognition of different uses is an important step away from the ideology of zero tolerance," says Jelsma. "It's more likely that the stabilization is due to the balance between supply and demand created by the market to control measures. Still, the purpose of containment should provide greater scope for measures to reduce drug harms rather than continue to focus on the utopia of completely eliminating their use. "

Unfortunately, says Jelsma, "in Report absent progress in harm reduction policies. Therefore, we ignore many positive experiences of the past decade in many countries, such as reducing overdose deaths and HIV infections, successful initiatives for harm reduction "

Press release, 26 June 2007

TNI