UNODC and organized crimes - Coursework Example

UNODC and Organized Crimes Opiates trade is generally hazardous to the health many people globally. Opiates cultivated in Afghanistan threaten the welfare of the global population and negatively impacting of governance, security and development in Afghanistan and beyond. The UNODC threat assessment report, 2011 focused on global flow of Afghan opiates together with smuggling of precursor chemicals used to manufacture heroin. The report is an eye opener to the international community in the fight against global illicit drug trade.

According to the UNODC’s report, approximately 16.5 million people around the world use illicit drugs per year. In Afghanistan, the Taliban had a share of about US$ 155 million; drug traffickers obtained a share of about US$2.2 billion while farmers got around US$440 million (UNODC, 2011). The report also claims that the cultivation of poppy in Afghanistan surpasses the global demand leading to vast quantity of stocks. “Over the past decade, Afghanistan has risen to prominence as the primary global source of illicit opium poppy cultivation” (Wyler, 2012).

Despite the fact that Afghan heroin is only trafficked to Islamic nations of Iran, Pakistan and central Asia, it eventually finds its ways to the rest of the world. Approximately 150 tons of Afghan heroin was smuggled into Europe, 120 tons to Asia and 45 tons to Africa in 2009. The fight against illicit drug trade has been an ongoing war. In 2009, law enforcement agencies seized about 76 tons of heroin around the world (UNODC, 2011). This report finding exposes vulnerable areas that should be given more attention.

For instance, implementing strict border regulations and controls in places such as the Afghanistan-Pakistan border at Baluchistan province would help greatly in intercepting massive trafficking of heroin, opium as well as precursor chemicals. Another way through which the flow of opiates from Afghanistan could be reduced is through increasing monitoring and search capability so that transit containers at harbors, airports and other transit points can be put under intensive check. This is likely to improve the rate of interdiction.

According to the UNODC report, building capacity and ensuring efficient information sharing between transit points and law enforcement agencies in major countries and areas of opiates destination would be crucial in rounding up the trade of illicit drugs. The cultivation of poppy in Afghanistan is strongly correlated with insecurity in the country. The report findings point out that Afghan opium poppy is mainly grown in provinces with high levels of insecurity. Therefore, finding solutions to afghan opium and insecurity problem is crucial for the nation and the population beyond its borders.

Tightening security, enacting stricter law on illicit drug trade and facilitating rural development are some of the crucial steps that can help to reduce the cultivation of poppy and also to eradicate poverty in the country.However, the report argues that tackling the problem of opiates trade from the supply side alone is a necessary but not a sufficient condition to guarantee a stop to the global community menace. There is dire need to address the problem from the demand side too. There is need for a global drug policy to help curb the flow of illicit drugs across the borders of nations, especially Europe, which forma a lucrative market for Afghan drug traffickers (Ruyver, 2002).

Drug abuse and addiction has become a big menace to the society much need to be done to control the illicit trade.ReferencesRuyver, B. (2002). Multidisciplinary drug policies and the UN drug treaties. Antwerpen: Maklu UNODC (2011). THE GLOBAL AFGHAN OPIUM TRADE: A Threat Assessment, 2011. Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Studies/Global_Afghan_Opium_Trade_2011-web.pdfWyler, L.S. (2012). CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress International Drug Control Policy: Background and U.S. Responses.

Retrieved on April 14, 2013 from http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL34543.pdf