Committee: SPECPOL (International Drug Trade)
Country: Saudi Arabia
International Drug Trade
Although drug trafficking has remained a common facet of human culture all throughout history, it was only forty years ago when the world collectively declared a now modern reincarnation on this ongoing issue, titled “War on Drugs.” However, after decades of failing to adequately control drug consumption, many scholars and government officials have come to regard the war on drugs as a failure of epic proportions. Now, with a declared world GDP of $36 trillion USD, the illegal drug trade is estimated to be nearly 1% of total global trade, making it very difficult to suppress the popularity of the industry.
Albeit that Saudi Arabia’s conservative cultural and religious norms discourage drug abuse and has no appreciable drug production nor is a significant transit country, it fully recognizes the gravity of this issue and has placed a high priority on combating narcotics abuse and trafficking, acknowledging that illegal drug consumption and trafficking are on the rise in last few decades. Saudi Arabia punishes narcotics-related crimes harshly, and narcotics trafficking is a capital offense enforced against Saudis and foreigners alike. That being said, Saudi Arabia has also begun establishing infancy regulatory prevention initiatives: educational campaigns in the media, health institutes, and schools are now being targeted towards the Saudi youth, as we understand that quelling this issue begins by instilling healthy roots in the country. Additionally, it backed the technical cooperation activities of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, submitted by the Secretary-General in his report on “International Cooperation Against the World Drug Problem.”
Saudi Arabia wholly supports regulating the production and trafficking of illicit drugs and substances, having begun to combat the scourge of drugs even in neighboring countries. The focal points of that policy are directed towards prevention, discouraging initial use of drugs, decrease of drug- related crimes, elimination of tolerance towards teenage drinking and early intervention strategies. Smaller nations need training, technology and assistance to help deal with internal drug problems in order to be part of the international effort to combat drugs. New and improved mechanisms are needed for communication and coordination across borders in regard to illegal drug activities. Saudi Arabia acknowledges that the traffic and trade in illicit drugs is multinational, operating without regard to political or geographical boundaries. No one country can win the fight against illegal drugs alone. This delegate would ask that any country with similar views consider joining the efforts to form a committee dedicated to fulfilling this policy of prevention, quelling this issue of drug trafficking from its very core foundations.
- Katie Zhao
