Drug Control: International Policy and Options

Publication Date: May 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s): Raphael Perl; Rensselaer Lee

Research Area: International relations; Social conditions

Keywords: narcotics

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Efforts to reduce the flow of illicit drugs
from abroad into the United States greatly
have so far not succeeded. Moreover, over the
past decade, worldwide production of illicit
drugs has risen dramatically: opium and
marijuana production has roughly doubled and
coca production tripled. Also, street prices of
cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in
the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. A major area of ongoing concern is:
how effective can international narcotics
control programs be in helping to reduce
consumption?