Drugs trafficking: an economic perspective

The economic aspects of drugs trafficking affect all OSCE participating States, will be discussed during the third and last preparatory seminar to this year's OSCE Economic Forum. The seminar will take place from 17 to 18 March in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

In May, the 11th OSCE Economic Forum will focus on the national and international economic impact of trafficking in all its dimensions - drugs, human beings, small arms and light weapons - and formulate recommendations for joint action by OSCE States.
 

How can the 55 OSCE participating States best address the economic aspects of drugs trafficking?

Indeed, trafficking is a lucrative business, and it's a huge business. After all the violence that I have seen, and how all the prevention has failed, I think all countries should start thinking about legalizing drugs. It might be the only way out. I've been a victim of drug terrorism. I live in Colombia.

- Lucia

On the one hand, participating States should implement the Dutch police on soft drugs. On the other hand, in the countries of origin, they should improve the economic situation of poor farmers who cultivate the plants from which drugs are derived. Furthermore, in all OSCE participating States laws should be implemented that make it possible to confiscate all profits from drug related crimes and activities.
- Machiel

Drugs are not the problem. Drug abuse is a symptom of a much deeper problem that should be addressed by the OSCE participating States: the sense of insecurity and the lack of safety. Unequal spread of wealth and opportunities as well as lack of individual prospects are the circumstance that push people to drugs.
- Nico

The problem is twofold: supply and demand. Concerning the supply side the OSCE should aim at creating a legal and economic environment that allows farmers to live on cultivating other plants than poppy and cannabis. But even then drug trafficking will remain a very attractive business as long as the demand will not be reduced. So OSCE participating States also have to think about effective ways how to reduce the illicit demand for drugs.
- Jean

Since traffickers reinvest their illegal profits in, for instance, hotels or transports, the OSCE has to hit them where it hurts most: in their pockets. For this reason the OSCE not only must keep promoting anti-money laundering legislation and training but also develop effective instruments to confiscate such investments.
- Vladimir

Drug trafficking is only possible thanks to organized crime and corruption. The OSCE should draw expertise from those member States that have successfully dealt with these issues. Help in such areas as building legislation and training judges, investigators and customs officers can be particularly beneficial.
- Maria