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Running head: INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING 1

INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKING 7

International Drug Trafficking

GEN 499: General Education Capstone

July 12, 2020

International Drug Trafficking

Introduction

Arguably, globalization has transformed the world in the last forty years resulting in increased spread of an idea, opening up of free markets and technology across borders. The lines of trade and communication have eased between the rich and developing countries of the world, and everyone in between. In essence, we are all connected: we all affect one another. However, beneath this sanguine exterior of globalization lies a dark bloody and illicit underworld world of drug trafficking. In particular, drug trafficking is one of the most substantial money earners with a retail value estimated at 500 billion US dollar a year, now exceeding the value of the international trade in oil and arms trade (UNRISD,1994). The most troublesome stage of the global drug trafficking is the trafficking menace which has been facilitated by globalization and the development of international trade. In particular, thousands of kilograms cross international boundaries through a sophisticated mechanism, leaving the hand of violent drug barons and into the lives of drug addicts and traffickers. The consumption of illicit drugs not only has serious physical, social and economic consequences for the individual consumer but also affects the entire society, and ultimately funds massive criminal systems. Thus, drug trafficking is a global societal problem that cannot be thwarted due to its popularity and the changes in the macro-economic environment, hence, undermining the global economy. Government and respective stakeholder ought to rethink the universal legalization strategy since it's the primary way to destabilize the global market and put an end to drug trafficking. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Comma after social Comment by Allega, Amanda: Comma after strategy

Background on Drug Trafficking

The supply and demand aspect of free markets has significantly contributed to the growth of drug trafficking channels. The most typical incentive in the drug trafficking market is the money in servicing the consumer demands a contributing factor such as public corruption, the nature of political power and the impact of economic policies. Illicit drugs tend to originate from less developed areas to more developed countries (Rivera, Casal, & Currais, 2017). The growth of legitimate business due to globalization has resulted in subsequent globalization of the financial system and market relations. Besides, the evolution in technology has occurred to the adoption of complicated computer systems that are used in hiding company secrets and subsequent transactions. In light of this, the origin of drug trafficking is attributed to poverty and lack of alternative income generation activities. Comment by Allega, Amanda: This sentence is a little wordy, making it difficult to understand. Consider revision for clarity and conciseness. Please use this as a reference for how to fix this: https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/writing-clearly-concisely

The vulnerability of the most impoverished nation that engages in drug production for medicinal to increase the risk factors in engaging in criminal and illegal activities. The political instability and poor governmental policies have further resulted in the growth and expansion of drug trafficking networks. Thus, the drug trafficking menace is a societal problem due to the broad spread impact on all aspects of the economy and the basic fabric of the society; the family. According to Rivera, Casal & Currais (2017), the order of magnitude of the extent of drug trafficking ought to establish concerning the drug characteristics. Firstly, the majority of the illicit drugs commonly trafficked are addictive, a fact that blurs the line between use and abuse and between addiction and addiction. One of the significant indicators of the trafficking problem from an economic perspective is the estimates of the turnover of the global drug trafficking industry. Comment by Allega, Amanda: medicinal purposes Comment by Allega, Amanda: These two sentences are wordy. Consider revision for conciseness.

Drug abuse has a significant cost implication, even though the cost tends to differ from country to country. In Canada, the cost of drug abuse was calculated at 2.7percent of the GDP, while illicit drug abuse accounting at least 1.1 US dollars. Equally, an investigation by the European community found that the identifiable cost of drug trafficking and exploitation amounted to $3.2 billion in the United Kingdom. From an economical cost point of view, drug trafficking hurts the economy of the global nation. Concerning human resource productivity, increased drug trafficking results in drug abuse among the most productive members of the society rendering them redundant. Specific work impairment is associated with drug abuse, while the increased violence and death associated with drug trafficking cartels negatively affect global peace and harmony. Thus, the problem of drug trafficking not only affect a single nation, but due to the interconnectedness and globalization, the global economic stability and peace are significantly changed (Gunvanti, 2015). Thus, to eradicate the problem of drug traffic and the subsequent violence associated with the black market resistant, it necessary to adopt the legalization strategy. Comment by Allega, Amanda: spacing Comment by Allega, Amanda: Comma after society Comment by Allega, Amanda: affects

The solution to Drug Trafficking

The global nature of the drug trafficking problem makes it difficult to curb the menace through local legislation. In particular, neither does country-specific action nor law tend to be effective in breaking the black market of illicit drugs. As Burger, (2002) point out; the declaration of "war on drugs" in the US by President Richard Nixon was an epic failure. The president, foreign policy sough, to eradicate and prevent illegal drugs, wherever cultivated, proceeds and imported. Almost forty year, the drug industry has significantly expanded and flourished due to poor policies implementation and strategies. Similarly, the United Nation Convention against illicit trafficking resulted in the establishment of a framework upon which member states could use to combat trafficking through increased cooperation with various authorities. Equally, the strategy failed because it was merely a framework hence the shortcoming in curbing drug trafficking menace. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Use the full term in academic writing Comment by Allega, Amanda: Do you mean after forty years? Comment by Allega, Amanda: Comma after framework

Concerning the after-mentioned failure due to policy implementation, the most viable solution to the drug trafficking menace is through global legalization. In particular, by focusing on the consumer, in theory, it is assumed they the demand will drop, resulting in disruption of the market. On the other hand, focusing on the suppliers and trafficker, it is assumed that the illicit market will be short of supply and fall apart (Jenner, 2011). On the contrary, as a result of addiction and the lucrative nature of the business, the supply and demand aspect will never be affected. However, the universals legalization provide a viable solution due to the fact it reverted trends and take out the profitability in the drug industry outing an end to drug trafficking and the subsequent implication associated with it.

According to Zarhin, Negev, Vulfsons & Sznitman (2018)., the universal legalizations entails the legalizing every aspect of the drug trafficking chain from production to consumption worldwide. Legalization will result in the creation of legitimate markets for drugs allowing for proper conflict resolution and attraction of commendable market players. Jenner (2011) asserts that legalization is justifiable because the individual right is upheld since the consumer is given the right to control their own lives and bodies. Besides, the universal legalization of drugs will result in the disruption of the carte driven monopoly. If a drug is legalized, the supply curve will be flattened becoming more elastic due to the omission of the barrier of entry into the drugs markets. Unlike previous policies, the universal legalization tends to affect all aspect of stakeholder involved in the drug trade. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Just a comma is fine here Comment by Allega, Amanda: This part of the sentence is a little confusing to follow. Consider revision.

The legalization of Marijuana provides empirical evidence on the viability of the Universal drug legalization approach. Studies by Yu, Chen, Chen, & Yan, (2020) utilize the age period cohort modelling (APAC) model to examine trends in marijuana use among youth in the US. Result finding indicated that the prevalence of current marijuana use from 1979 to 2016 showed a "V" shaped pattern. The rate shifted from 27.57% in 1979 and declined to 8.02% in 1992 and increased gradually in 2016. This trend corresponds to the period of the most robust legal action in the US. The declining trend in 2006 is as a result of the legalization of Marijuana. The limitations of this study are attributed to data collection methodology that utilized the household survey, which is subject to under-reporting. Thus, there is a need for further studies to verify the association between specific laws/regulation as the risk of marijuana use. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Lower case m Comment by Allega, Amanda: Use the full term. Please check for this throughout the remainder of your paper. Comment by Allega, Amanda: laws and regulations

Ethical Outcome from the Universal Legalization of Drugs

The universal legalization of drugs has potentially positive and ethical and moral outcomes. To begin, the ethical issue concerning the Unitarianism theory is that the legalization of illicit drugs is wholly justified in the sense that it produces the greater good for the consumer. In particular, the prohibition of drug use has more ethical concern in terms of violation of individual rights compared to the legalization concepts. The utilitarianism theory postulates that a person is allowed to commit any action as long as they do not result in harm and pain. In this regards, the work is morally right or wrong respective of its consequences. The resultant ethical implication is that individuals are given the right, which is not a legal right but rather a moral right to take action that they deem right as long as they do not harm others. Through the drug legalization framework, the ethical implication of an individual action will be determined by their action rather than governmental restriction such as drug prohibition that has a negative consequence concerning ethics. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Omit this word (not needed) Comment by Allega, Amanda: Comma after action

Also, universal drug legalization has a negative ethical implication. In essence, it Is unethical to use illicit drugs concerning the ethics of obedience to the law. In particular, the legalization of drugs will thus result in the promotion of unethical production and contravenes the harm reduction approach (Zhengbo, 2020). In essence, individual have straight moral implication to avoid the use of consumer product that is produced in an unnecessarily dangerous and exploitative way. An ethically produced product might be expensive but cost-effective and do not justify the harm producers go through. Equally, the production process of drugs Is unethical. At the same time, the supply chain is characterized by violence and murder, thus promoting such vices is unethical and has the farfetched implication that causes more significant harm in larger populations. Besides, the other ethical concern will destroy the moral fabric that calls for decency and an improved sense of self-control. Comment by Allega, Amanda: Omit this word Comment by Allega, Amanda: lower case i Comment by Allega, Amanda: as

The decision making of an individual in society varies greatly as much as it might be easier for adults to make choices for the greater good. Drug legalization has potential implication to affect the youth in the society who have limited capability to distinguish right from wrong. In this case, the moral consequence of the universal legalization is the subsequently increased risk factor to the vulnerable groups such as youth (Zhengbo, 2020). On the other hand, the positive outcome of the moral implication is that individual right is respected compared to the prohibition laws that hinder a personal moral right to body and substance use. Thus, from a societal point of view, legalization of illicit drug has positive impact compared to the prohibition of drugs. Comment by Allega, Amanda: This sentence is difficult to understand. Consider revision. Comment by Allega, Amanda: drugs

Conclusion

Drug trafficking is a violent industry that has been enhanced as a result of globalization. The resultant consequences are the destruction of global economies, effects on the well being of society from both the physical, societal and spiritual point of views. In this case, the use legalization in the recent past such the war on drug effort in the US and the united nation connection on illicit drugs have been unsuccessful due to the nature of the current global issues. Also, such initiative and legislation have been focusing on consumer and supplier, which tend to be infective in the long run. The universal law of drug offers the most viable solution since it attacks the market rather than the market participant. However, the legal, ethical implication of this approach is attributed to the decision making capability of an individual and their understanding of what is perceived right or wrong. Overall, it essential for government and stakeholder to reconsider the drug legislation approach that has the potential to curb the drugs trafficking menace compared to other legislations such as drug prohibition. Comment by Allega, Amanda: consequences, as a result, Comment by Allega, Amanda: This sentence is difficult to follow. Consider revision. Comment by Allega, Amanda: ineffective

References

Alexy, R. (2012). Law, Morality, and the Existence of Human Rights*. Ratio Juris, 25(1), 2–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9337.2011.00499.x

Burger, J. M. (2002). Four Decades and Counting. Contemporary Psychology, 47(6), 665–667. https://doi.org/10.1037/001262

Enderwick, P. (2016). The transnational organization of the drug trade. In Financial Crimes: Psychological, Technological, and Ethical Issues (pp. 309-327). Springer, Cham.

Gunvanti, B, P. P. (2015). Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking Vis-A-Vis Human Life – A Review. La Prensa Medica, 101(2). https://doi.org/10.4172/lpma.1000144

Jenner. (2011). International Drug Trafficking: A Global Problem with a Domestic Solution. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 18(2), 901. https://doi.org/10.2979/indjglolegstu.18.2.901

Rivera, B., Casal, B., & Currais, L. (2017). The social cost of illicit drugs uses in Spain. International Journal of Drug Policy, 44, 92–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.03.012

UNRISD. (1994). Illicit Drugs: Social Impacts and Policy Responses | Publications | UNRISD. Retrieved July 12, 2020, from www.unrisd.org website: http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpAuxPages)/4C3D0BE90FAD550480256B6400419B57/

Yu, B., Chen, X., Chen, X., & Yan, H. (2020). Marijuana legalization and historical trends in marijuana use among US residents aged 12–25: results from the 1979–2016 National Survey on drug use and health. BMC Public Health, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8253-4

Zhengbo, L. (2020). The Moral Wrong of Drug Legalization. The European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 167–172. https://doi.org/10.29013/ejhss-20-2-167-172

Zarhin, D., Negev, M., Vulfsons, S., & Sznitman, S. R. (2018). Rhetorical and regulatory boundary-work: the case of medical cannabis policy-making in Israel. Social Science & Medicine, 217, 1-9.