COULD DRUGS AFFECT EU MEMBERSHIP?

Drug dealing and narcotics consumption in Hungary has been the topic of
many reports in the media in recent times.

Such reports are never welcomed by the Government, even if the reports
feature the capture of criminals, because they highlight the growing trend
in illegal activities at, excuse the pun, the grass roots level.

Prime Minister Orban once said, "Hungary is no longer a country struggling
with the problems of a change in regime. It is a country and society very
similar to today's Western European countries." This has its good points
and bad points.

Most people would agree that drug use is rampant in the West, and with a
change of regime the West’s bad habits are also being adopted in Hungary.
Ironically, it is these problems which may stand in the way of Hungary’s
next advancement.

In 1956 Hungary rose up against what the world perceived as another social
ill, Communism. In 1989 it found success in a second attempt at political
and economic change. Orban believes that transition is now over, and indeed
the next stage of development is on the horizon, the move into the European
Union.

But before Hungary crosses the finish line it must clear the hurdles of
criteria established by the decision-makers of Brussels. These requirements
must be met for accession, although one could argue the EU seems to hold a
hypocritical "do as I say, not as I do" attitude.

Many Hungarians, including some of my colleagues, feel agricultural,
immigration/border activities and environmental issues are the main
barriers blocking EU membership. Organized crime and corruption, one of the
EU’s marked areas of concern, is often overlooked.

When EU accession is reached travel into other EU states will be easier for
those living in Hungary. One would think the last thing the European Union
wishes to do is open its doors and make drug trafficking to the West
simpler. Money is being spent to alleviate the problem, but as yet the
effects of such efforts are negligible. Organized crime and corruption are
issues the EU has been taking a hardened stance on in recent years. Most
people associate this issue with the large numbers of Russian and Ukrainian
mafia operating in Central and Eastern Europe (for example the 130 or so
Russian language groups theater believed to operate in Hungary).

Fraud is the issue usually focussed on, but what about organized drug
trafficking?

Drug dealing is a regular source of income for almost 20,000 Hungarians
with over Ft40 billion ($158 million) changing hands each year, according
to Gyorgy Hollosi, head of the drug crimes investigation section of the
Hungarian National Police Force.

This would mean that almost one in every 125 workers makes money from
trading drugs. Without doubt a disturbing figure, which reveals just how
high consumption levels have reached since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The police estimate, according to Hollosi, that Hungarians use 14.5 tons of
marijuana, three tons of heroin and six tons of amphetamines each year.

Measures to overcome the problems highlighted by the EU are being tackled,
albeit slowly if the date for accession is to take place in 2003.

The process of appeasing EU officials needs to go up a gear or Hungary may
be stalled at the starting line.

To be fair one should point out that to these ends the Hungarian Government
is actively trying to wipe out corruption/organized crime and ease the
doubts of the EU, thanks in part to working closely with the US Embassy in
Hungary, the FBI and the CIA.

This is obviously not a new problem. Central and East European countries
have been at the heart of discussions over drug distribution in the West
for over a decade.

Under programs such as the EU’s Phare, money is given to Hungary to help
curb drug activities. That the statistics for drugs are so high is a bad
sign and indicates throwing money at the problem is not having the desired
effect of curbing the drug trade.

Under the Phare program, the objectives relating to crime are to develop a
regional approach for the fight against drugs; to facilitate the gradual
adoption by the Central and East European countries of EU drug laws; and to
strengthen co-operation both at the intra-regional level, and with EU
member states.

To be sure, the EU has serious intentions when dealing with drugs, and
lists it as an element of organized crime in the Commission and delegation
reports.

Since 1996 the European Parliament has been working to harmonize drug laws
for current members of the EU. Already encompassing 15 countries, this is
no easy task.

EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Anita Gradin set up a task force
on drugs and promised it would be one of her top priorities. "I think it is
high time that we collect information on how each member state tackles its
drug problem and also discuss how we can work closely together," she said.

Serious intent regarding current members is indicative of the policies
which must be adopted by those seeking admission. After all, to let in new
members without such policies would surely be to fly in the face of the
last five years anti-drug efforts.

As the old saying goes "united we stand, divided we fall".