UN describes Central America as world's most violent area, U.S. biggest drug market

[News_Editor]

UN describes Central America as world's most violent area, U.S. biggest drug market

2012-02-29 20:52:06 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Tuesday described Central America as one of the most violent areas in the world as drug-related violence continues to rise, signaling the United States as the world's biggest drug market.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which identified Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua as key transit countries for smuggling drugs primarily destined for the United States, stated that drug trafficking organizations have increased their operations in the region, posing a serious threat to the security of the region.

In its annual report, the INCB said the increase in drug-related violence comes as many Mexican drug cartels - under pressure from Mexican authorities - have moved their operations south of the border. Furthermore, the report noted that El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Jamaica now have the world's highest homicide rates as a result of drug-related activities, and the proliferation of street gangs and availability of firearms has led to an increase in crime rates.

With more than 45,000 people in the region dying of drug-related causes every year, North America has remained the world's largest drug market, followed by Europe. The alarming death rates constitute the highest annual drug-related mortality rate in the world.

INCB also highlighted the increasing flow of heroin into Africa which is causing a surge in drug abuse throughout the region, particularly in East and Southern Africa.

Last year, record seizures of heroin were carried out in Kenya and Tanzania, and the smuggling of other drugs such as cocaine and cannabis continue to pose a threat to the region, with INCB warning that most countries still lack appropriate systems to monitor and combat drug abuse.

The report also emphasizes the abuse of prescription drugs and over-the-counter pharmaceutical preparations in South Asia, stressing that many of these are being sold through illegal Internet pharmacies which target a young audience.

It also warns that in East and South-East Asia as well as South Asia, the use of amphetamines is increasing and is contributing to a higher rate of HIV and hepatitis C infections.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-02-29

[ParadiseLost]

And still the poor dumb souls spend more and more on the likes of the DEA and their hopeless 'war on drugs'.

Prohibition was a lesson that nobody learned from...

[maidu]

Not mentioned in the article: Guatemala is seriously considering legalizing drugs, and Honduras may join. Legalization won't end problems, but it will lessen them considerably. The main reason there are such widespread problems is, by making drug dealing criminal, the criminals take over. And by making drug taking criminal - it criminalizes vast tracts of people who would ordinarily seek treatment.

Legalization would do the following:

>>>> enable governments to oversee quality of drugs.

>>>> enable gov't to tax revenues and to issue warnings of harm, as they now do with cigarettes.

>>>> allow users to turn to counseling without fear of being arrested.

Each year since 2002, prescription drugs have killed more people than illegal drugs, and the proportion is getting more lopsided each successive year. Also, the 'wars on drugs' in the US, Thailand and elsewhere don't deal with the world's #1 most overall harmful drug: alcoholic drinks.

Tell that to Chalerm, and he'll just smirk and offer you a glass of whiskey.