International dimensions of drug policy

Senate Special Committee on Illegal DrugsMarch 18, 2001

Terry Cormier

Foreign Affairs and International Trade

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Overview

ContextChallengesInternational legal architectureInternational developmentsPolicy challenges

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Multi-dimensional aspects: diplomatic, policy, financial, humanitarian, legal, law enforcement

In many multilateral and regional fora

Different countries have particular preoccupations

International dimensions

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Public Safety:International dimensions

Integration results in new threats to the safety and security of Canadians

Global challenges require global responses

Coherence, coordination, leadershipHorizontal issue managementGrowing agenda of public safety issues

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Problems of international drug trade

CorruptionViolenceUndermines state and rule of law

AfghanistanEconomic dislocationHealth issuesMoney launderingTrafficking in firearms

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International Institutional Structure

UN Economic and Social Council Commission on Narcotic Drugs UNDCP International Narcotics Control Board World Health Organization

OAS

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Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961

Objective: limit the production and trade in prohibited substances

Establishes UN architectureDeals with control largely by criminal

penalties4 Schedules

Cannabis is in Schedule 4, subject to highest level of control

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Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971

Deals with pervasive use and availability of synthetic, psychotropic substances

Follows template of Single ConventionRecognizes the medical necessity 4 Schedules of controlRequires drugs to be specifically listed

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Convention against Illicit Traffick in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988

Instrument of international criminal lawIntent is to harmonize national, drug-

related criminal laws and enforcement actions

Obligations to create and implement very specific criminal laws

Specifically obligates Parties “to respect fundamental human rights”

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International Conventions: Cannabis possession

Consensus view is that it is not possible to decriminalize cannabis and be in conformity with the three Conventions

Parties have latitude with respect to penalties and sanctions

Conventions recognize explicitly domestic law

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Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism

Under Canadian chairmanship and leadership MEM was developed by the OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)

Peer group evaluation mechanismSupply and demandBroadening the understanding of the

impact of drugs in our societies

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CHALLENGES

Anticipation of future threats chemical drugs, ATS nano technologies

Keeping international and domestic contexts in some relative equilibrium

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International environment

International environment is changingSubstance abuse issues are now

considered in broader context -- demand and supply

Growing recognition that we should differentiate among classes of drugs

Greater appreciation for the broader social, political, economic impacts

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Conclusion

Canada promotes multilateralization of international rules

Substance abuse issues are critical social policy issues which engage many different actors

Essentially a political issue