Opium Goes Global

1. After reading the attached article, please discuss the Threat Assessment (2011) promulgated by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the role that Organized Crime Groups and Narco-Traffickers are in perpetuating narcotics abuse and addiction. 

UNODC (2011) dictates Afghanistan as the top country of opium production, threatening the health and people around the neighboring countries. The opium production in Afghanistan also threatens many countries worldwide, including the U.S. As mentioned by the UNODC, understanding the global impact allows the rest of the world to see the vulnerabilities and ways to counter opium production. Countering the distribution and trafficking of opium will also deter the most dangerous drug from being distributed, heroin. UNODC stresses the need for international support and attention of Africa since the continent has become a station for heroin shipments to the West. Thus, increased international cooperation is needed to strengthen borders and other vulnerable areas around the globe in various countries. 

UNODC (2011) also stresses the importance of intelligence sharing between law enforcement worldwide and ports and other key figures. Unfortunately, attacking the distribution or trafficking is not sufficient. UNODC recommends a balanced approach to counter the extreme demands of opium. In addition, countries need to also focus on educating their populations in regards to heroin and treatment. By following the recommended advice by UNODC, the lucrative business of opium can eventually come to a halt.

2. In conducting additional research outside of this week’s readings, select a specific area, town, city, or state within the U.S. that is experiencing a drug problem and critique the steps they are taking to combat the problem. 

Oakland is still known today as “coke-land” because it’s a hub and a port for cocaine and other illegal drugs like heroin. Although tech companies in the Bay Area and gentrification have forced Oakland, California, to change significantly, there are still issues of drug violence today. Robert (1984) notes a pregnant 15-year-old girl shot by mistake because of drug gangs and rivalries. There are areas of Oakland that people could not live in but live in today. Still, from friends that I have spoken to, you have to be careful and not walk around at night. Areas such as West Oakland and Fruitvale make residents think twice about walking around, especially at night. Today, police officers in Oakland, CA, still race from call to call with very little time to process the last incident. In the Bay Area, an Oakland dispatcher or Oakland police officer has a lot of respect. 

Robert (1984) notes that Oakland residents were also the ones that fought back to reclaim their neighborhoods from the drugs. Residents organized campaigns and marches and specific meetings aimed to put pressure on the City and law enforcement. It was not common to see 30-35 street corners in Oakland where drug dealers openly sold drugs. People have gotten tired of the drugs and living in fear, which is why residents have started to fight back. Sadly, back in the 70s or 80s, even the 90s, Oakland did not receive assistance from the Federal Government. Service instead was distributed to other popular neighboring counties like Marin and San Francisco. I still would not recommend leaving any city for Oakland because the drug and violence problem persists, and it’s not safe.

References:

Robert, L. (1984). Oakland fighting back to end drug violence. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/10/07/us/oakland-fighting-back-to-end-drug-violence.html

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2011, July). The global Afghan opium trade: A threat assessment. Vienna: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.