THE LATEST DISPATCHES FROM THE WAR ON DRUGS

The latest global report on illicit drugs makes for sobering and at times
controversial reading.

Among its assessments: Cultivation and trafficking of cocaine and heroin are
as widespread as ever despite much improved co-operation among governments.
The manufacture and use of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy is exploding. The
supply of opiate raw materials and legal narcotics far outstrips legitimate
demand. The trend toward decriminalizing marijuana is undermining
international law and making it harder to combat growing worldwide drug
abuse.

Such findings sound as if they could have come straight from the Bush White
House. But they actually emanate from the International Narcotics Control
Board (INCB), a United Nations-financed panel that monitors the
international drug trade and compliance with UN treaties. The current board
members hail from Russia, China, three European and eight developing
countries, whose policies on narcotics range from liberal (Netherlands) to
harsh (Iran).

Unlike the Iraq crisis, when it comes to the war on drugs there is
considerable international support for Washington's hard-line approach. Yet
the word that comes to mind when assessing the global situation is
"intractable."

The INCB attempts to put to rest the myth that the production of cocaine and
opium provides significant benefits for poor rural economies. Although both
cultivation and manufacture are labour-intensive, there is little increase
in employment, only 1 per cent of the money ends up with the crop growers
and the rest of the economy is badly distorted.

Afghanistan is a perfect example of the destructive power of drug-based
trade. The Taliban had sharply reduced opium cultivation in 2000. But since
their dreadful regime was toppled, production has soared, reaching about
3,000 tonnes last year, despite a decree by the interim government banning
cultivation.

The report is unequivocal on cannabis, sharply criticizing Italy, Spain,
Portugal and Luxembourg for decriminalizing its use, slamming Switzerland
and the Netherlands for allowing its sale in coffee houses and considering
partial legalization, and worrying about the confusion caused by Britain's
decision to soften its rules. How do you stop burgeoning production for
illegal export in places such as Morocco when you're encouraging consumption
in major markets?

The watchdog also worries about Canada, where the government is about to
introduce legislation decriminalizing the use of small amounts of the drug.
We have argued that this is the best of an unsatisfactory set of options,
but we do not underestimate the pitfalls.

And the INCB is vexed by the Dutch and Canadian decisions to authorize the
use of cannabis for certain medical reasons "although no conclusive results
concerning the possible therapeutic properties . . . have been obtained from
the research conducted in those countries or anywhere else."

The INCB has one overriding interest in the drug debate: enforcing existing
UN treaties controlling narcotics and psychotropic substances, including the
1961 convention that restricts cannabis. It suggests that if countries no
longer regard the substance as dangerous, they should revisit the treaty.
Maybe that is the best way to proceed, whether to reaffirm the treaty or
offer proof that a less punitive regime would be preferable.