The Eradication of Illicit Crops (and alternative agricultural development) emes/altdev-6.htm

Definitions Eradication = to remove or destroy Eradication = to remove or destroy Illicit = illegal Illicit = illegal Coca leaf: makes cocaine Coca leaf: makes cocaine Opium: makes heroin Opium: makes heroin Cannabis: makes marijuana Cannabis: makes marijuana

History Drugs made from natural plants, like cannabis or heroin, are the most widely abused substances in the world. 2.5% of the whole world’s population abuse cannabis; the most dangerous, heroin and cocaine, are abused by 8 to 13 million people. Drugs made from natural plants, like cannabis or heroin, are the most widely abused substances in the world. 2.5% of the whole world’s population abuse cannabis; the most dangerous, heroin and cocaine, are abused by 8 to 13 million people. The illicit production and trade are detrimental to national economies and to the social and political well-being of nations. The money made by drug trafficking allows them to corrupt and destabilize the economies and institutions of countries in various parts of the world. The illicit production and trade are detrimental to national economies and to the social and political well-being of nations. The money made by drug trafficking allows them to corrupt and destabilize the economies and institutions of countries in various parts of the world.

Steps in the Drug Cycle Illegal growing of the crops Illegal growing of the crops Illicit trafficking Illicit trafficking Diversion of chemical precursors Diversion of chemical precursors Operation of illicit drug laboratories Operation of illicit drug laboratories Money-laundering Money-laundering Organized crime Organized crime

Some Countries Involved Illicit cultivation of cannabis happens everywhere and seems to be stable; but production of opium and cocaine, which is concentrated in certain areas, increased during the ‘70s and ‘80s. Illicit cultivation of cannabis happens everywhere and seems to be stable; but production of opium and cocaine, which is concentrated in certain areas, increased during the ‘70s and ‘80s. Almost 90% of opium and heroin originates in Southern Asia. The two major opium growing countries are Afghanistan and Myanmar, with Laos in third. Some illicit cultivation of opium also takes place in Colombia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Almost 90% of opium and heroin originates in Southern Asia. The two major opium growing countries are Afghanistan and Myanmar, with Laos in third. Some illicit cultivation of opium also takes place in Colombia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam. Bolivia, Colombia and Peru are 98% of the world's coca leaf suppliers. Small-scale cultivation also occurs in Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela. Bolivia, Colombia and Peru are 98% of the world's coca leaf suppliers. Small-scale cultivation also occurs in Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela.

More Countries… In the rural areas of Asia and Latin America, about 700,000 families depend on money from the cultivation of coca leaf and opium poppy. In the rural areas of Asia and Latin America, about 700,000 families depend on money from the cultivation of coca leaf and opium poppy. The drug trade often helps them to cope with food shortages, but economic dependence on illicit crops is not sustainable in the long run. The drug trade often helps them to cope with food shortages, but economic dependence on illicit crops is not sustainable in the long run. The farmers are open to exploitation at the hands of middlemen, and face the threat of forced eradication. The farmers are open to exploitation at the hands of middlemen, and face the threat of forced eradication.

Plan of Action! History shows that there is no single way to eliminate the cultivation and production of illicit crops. Even when alternative development projects are successful, some growers keep growing. History shows that there is no single way to eliminate the cultivation and production of illicit crops. Even when alternative development projects are successful, some growers keep growing. They must understand that there is a risk associated with illicit crop cultivation. Therefore, this plan which was considered at the Special Session stresses the importance of integrating alternative development programs and law enforcement measures. They must understand that there is a risk associated with illicit crop cultivation. Therefore, this plan which was considered at the Special Session stresses the importance of integrating alternative development programs and law enforcement measures. Law enforcement measures are necessary at every stage of the drug cycle. Moreover, when organized crime is involved in cultivation, measures such as eradication, destruction of illicit crops and arrests may be appropriate. Law enforcement measures are necessary at every stage of the drug cycle. Moreover, when organized crime is involved in cultivation, measures such as eradication, destruction of illicit crops and arrests may be appropriate.

More of that Plan…! To maximize their impact, alternative development programs should: To maximize their impact, alternative development programs should: Contribute to sustainable social and economic opportunities Contribute to sustainable social and economic opportunities Be linked to national development planning to ensure sustainable political and economic integration of areas involved in illicit cultivation Be linked to national development planning to ensure sustainable political and economic integration of areas involved in illicit cultivation

Be adapted to the conditions prevailing In a given project area Be adapted to the conditions prevailing In a given project area Be based on a community-participation approach, involving indigenous knowledge, skills, interests and needs. Local communities should commit themselves to reducing illicit crops until they are eradicated Be based on a community-participation approach, involving indigenous knowledge, skills, interests and needs. Local communities should commit themselves to reducing illicit crops until they are eradicated Contribute to the promotion of democratic values to encourage community participation and the development of a civic culture that rejects illicit cultivation Contribute to the promotion of democratic values to encourage community participation and the development of a civic culture that rejects illicit cultivation

Build enduring local institutions Build enduring local institutions Observe environmental criteria Observe environmental criteria Enable women and men to participate equally in the development process Enable women and men to participate equally in the development process Include appropriate demand reduction measures where a drug abuse problem exists. Include appropriate demand reduction measures where a drug abuse problem exists.

Getting Everyone On Board The elimination of illicit crops cannot be achieved without full involvement of the international community. Governments, international organizations, NGOs, regional development banks and the financial sector all have a role in this common endeavor. The elimination of illicit crops cannot be achieved without full involvement of the international community. Governments, international organizations, NGOs, regional development banks and the financial sector all have a role in this common endeavor. Long-term financial and political commitments are required. Long-term financial and political commitments are required. The establishment of a global monitoring system, based on commonly agreed goals and objectives, is critical. The system would combine remote sensing technologies with other techniques, such as ground surveys, to provide an ongoing assessment of the impact of alternative development programs. At the same time, monitoring of the areas at risk would prevent the "balloon effect" from nullifying the overall impact of eradication programs by reacting rapidly against illicit cultivation in new areas. The establishment of a global monitoring system, based on commonly agreed goals and objectives, is critical. The system would combine remote sensing technologies with other techniques, such as ground surveys, to provide an ongoing assessment of the impact of alternative development programs. At the same time, monitoring of the areas at risk would prevent the "balloon effect" from nullifying the overall impact of eradication programs by reacting rapidly against illicit cultivation in new areas.

Alternative Agriculture Since these farmers in poverty are being encouraged to stop the growth of illicit crops, they should in turn be encouraged to grow legal crops. Since these farmers in poverty are being encouraged to stop the growth of illicit crops, they should in turn be encouraged to grow legal crops.

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