ICONS Americas: Sample Student Position Paper

(Excerpt from: Canada, International University of Japan, Niigta, Japan, Spring 1998)

Narco-Diplomacy

Background:

Canadian foreign policy rests on three pillars, namely, the promotion of prosperity, security and Canadian values. As such, it is clear that Canada’s foreign policy is directed at sharing the benefits of the country’s social stability and prosperity with her neighbors, in the interests of ensuring a peaceful global environment in the post-Cold War era ...

In this regard, recognising the potential and actual havoc caused by the illicit narcotics industry throughout the Americas and the world, the issue deserves special consideration and cooperation between states. The problem of illicit drugs is one that directly affects Canada, and her approach to the issue clearly must reflect her domestic interests. On the other hand, policies should be adopted which serve to strengthen the infrastructures of those countries most under threat from the narcotics industry. Canada’s most important role, however, is perhaps that of mediation between countries with conflicting interests regarding the issue. In this regard, Canada’s consequential role in the Peruvian hostage crisis of 1997 may facilitate a similar role of mediation between the countries of the Americas.

Issue-Specific Problems Facing the Country:

In the context of Narco-Diplomacy, Canada is a consuming, rather than a producing country. Cannabis is the principal illicit substance of abuse in Canada (up to half of which produced locally, however). Authorities estimate the number of cocaine users to exceed 250,000, wtih the heroin user population being 35,000 - 40,000. Related issues include:

- Social and Economic Costs of Drug Consumption

- National Security: the threat of Trans-national crime to systems political, economic, environmental and social.

- Growing domestic lobby for softer anti-drug laws (i.e. decriminalisation of marijuana) and recent publicity given to the issue.

Within the region of the Americas, the United States and Canada are two principal consumer nations, and face the problems described above. The situation in the United States, however, is notably more serious, with more widespread consumption and distribution networks. Although the dichotomy between producer and consumer nations is somewhat simplistic, it is a necessary distinction to make in terms of regional co-operation. Issues facing our Latin American neighbors include:

- Economic dependence on drug production, particularly at the level of the local economy. In Bolivia, for example, the cultivation of drugs (both legal and illegal) and trafficking accounts for roughly 20% of the country’s GNP.

- Widespread corruption, and the resultant weakening of political and legal systems - the war against drugs has led to the increasing militarisation of government and human rights abuses.

- The concomitant power and disruptive reach of the drug cartels which manifests itself not only in the major producer countries (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia), but also in transit/trafficking countries (Venezuela, Central America, Argentina).

Clearly the optimum goal for any drug policy is the eradication of the illicit narcotics trade. However, as long as demand exists, the problem will not disappear, and Canada’s goals must consequently take into account the realities with which we are faced:

On the Demand Side:

- Combating and alleviating the rising domestic social costs of drug abuse.

- Preventing decay in Canada’s social, economic, political and environmental systems as a result of the narcotics trade.

- Enhancing the integrity of Canada’s national security.

- Effective enforcement of domestic anti-drug laws.

On the Supply Side:

- Breaking the power of the drug cartels in drug-producing countries (DPCs)

- Strengthening the legal and economic infrastructures of DPCs.

- Eradication of the narcotics industry.

- Increased and effective co-operation among the countries of the Americas to combat the spread and influence of the narcotics trade.

Policies to Achieve Goals:

Continued and improved enforcement of domestic drug control policy ...

Continued participation in international anti-drug forums and international enforcement efforts ...

Close cooperation with the US government on narcotics interdiction efforts ...

Support of the US Andean initiative ...

Efforts focused at the underlying problems of producer and trafficking countries... 

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Last modified: February 5, 2001