Drying coca leaves in Bolivia. Photo: UNODC
Reported by the UN Anti-Narcotics panel, the growing rate of violence involving drug trafficking has reached "alarming and unprecedented levels" in Central America, and has been called one of the most violent areas in the world. North America still remains to be the world's largest drug market to date, with Europe coming in second. Countries identified to be key transit countries for drug smuggling destined for the US include Honduras, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua. The escalating number of drug cartels in this region have led El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Jamaica to have the world's highest homicide rates due to availability of firearms and proliferation of street gangs.
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has warned that these high risk countries are in major need of appropriate systems to monitor and combat the drug abuse. The INCB has recommended programs be implemented on drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services, in addition to increasing educational, employment, and recreational opportunities.
Poor nations often become easy targets of these drug trafficking organizations and for most, desperate times call for desperate measures. Their vulnerability gets taken advantage of resulting in a never-ending vicious cycle of cat and mouse.
- Georisa Chang
SOURCE: UN News Centre
The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has warned that these high risk countries are in major need of appropriate systems to monitor and combat the drug abuse. The INCB has recommended programs be implemented on drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services, in addition to increasing educational, employment, and recreational opportunities.
Poor nations often become easy targets of these drug trafficking organizations and for most, desperate times call for desperate measures. Their vulnerability gets taken advantage of resulting in a never-ending vicious cycle of cat and mouse.
- Georisa Chang
SOURCE: UN News Centre
