Committee: SPECPOL
Topic: International Drug Trade
Country: Israel
Delegate: Owen Hart, Forest Hills Northern High School
The International Drug Trade has become such a pervasive issue that a large majority of UN nations are privy to the three conventions pertaining to it: the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. Despite this widespread cooperation and concern the illegal trade has grown and spread rapidly along with criminal organizations to supply them. As with all large and complex problems, many types of solutions have been proposed, including whether to prevent the supply of drugs, their demand or a combination of the two. All while balancing the dispositions of the several countries involved in the trade.
The State of Israel is not a significant drug producing or trafficking country, but does have a significant domestic market. As a result, the State of Israel has implemented a comprehensive system to the prevention of demand for drugs domestically and working with other countries to prevent the supply. The State of Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UNODC to further its cooperation with the UN in countering drugs and crime. The Israel Anti-Drug Authority (IADA) has worked with other Israeli Ministries and NGO’s to create evidence based prevention and treatment programs are implemented throughout the country, targeting the general and at risk populations. The State of Israel signed a MoU with the Palestinian Authority allowing for information exchange regarding drug demand and supply reduction. IADA also works closely with MASHAV – the Center for International Cooperation of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organizing courses for participants from developing countries around the world in Israel, and on-the-spot short term courses, given in the participants’ home countries.
The State of Israel believes that there are specific actions the United Nations should take to ameliorate the drug trafficking situation. The State of Israel believes that the UN facilitate and agreement to encourage countries to combat the drug trade domestically with multifaceted, evidence-based strategies. Also, the State of Israel believes the General Assembly should pass a resolution that recommends an exchange of information between nations and multilateral programs to assist developing countries where these substances are grown, both of which would better combat international trafficking. This topic cannot be taken lightly, and the State of Israel seeks to ensure that action is taken to curtail this growing crisis.
- Owen Hart
