New Threats

Protecting People and Nations
from the Global Threat of Narcotics

FUKUMI Sayaka

FUKUMI SayakaAssociate Professor,
College of International Relations

The Narcotics Industry
as a Global Business

What do you mean by new threat?

Fukumi“New threat” is a concept born out of the frameworks of international security. “Security” traditionally meant a nation protecting its territory and political sovereignty from other countries. Since the end of the Cold War, however, in addition to this sort of “national security,” there has emerged a new concept of “human security” which focuses on individuals. The protection of the safety of each and every human being has come to be emphasized in the international community. For example, poverty, hunger, environmental destruction, and other threats to the lives, livelihoods and dignity of individuals are called “new threats (non-traditional threat),” in contrast to traditional threats. Narcotics are one of these new threats.

There are two main types of narcotics: synthetic narcotics produced by chemical synthesis, such as stimulants and amphetamines, and plant-based narcotics extracted from or powdered from plants, such as heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. Among them, plant-based narcotics are characterized by limitations on production areas. Cocaine is produced mainly in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. It is said that about 70% of cocaine imported to the United States and about 90% to Europe is produced in Latin America.

The narcotics industry is now so well established as a business that it is often likened to an international multinational corporation. In Latin America, narcotics are grown mainly in Bolivia and Peru and then processed into narcotics in Colombia, which are then supplied to the United States and Europe via Mexico. It is not easy to destroy such production and distribution systems.

The Power of Drug Cartels to Shake
the Establishment of a Democratic State in Colombia,
with Urban Economies Dependent on Narcotics

Why do we need to examine narcotics from a security perspective?

FukumiNot only do narcotics threaten the lives and livelihoods of each and every human being, but the narcotics industry also has an influence so big that it threatens the survival of a nation.

In Japan, narcotics have not been seen as a serious problem that the whole country should come together to tackle. But we cannot turn our eyes away from a serious threat to international security. Only from a security perspective can it be recognized as a threat to which the government can respond accordingly. Studying international relations also serves to cultivate such a perspective.

In fact, the rampancy of drug smuggling organizations has had various negative effects on countries. Politicians and the legal world are constantly threatened and bribed. If the foundations of politics and the judicial system are destroyed, a democratic nation cannot be established. Many drug smuggling organizations can sometimes even control much of a city’s functions by diverting smuggling funds to legitimate businesses such as media, transportation, hotels, and restaurants. What is even more troubling is the provision of welfare and charity services, such as assistance to the poor, using illegally obtained funds. This may win the support of citizens over municipalities with weaker economic power and shake their trust in the government and local governments. In addition, a negative chain of growing threats to the nation are created when such organizations cooperate with anti-government organizations such as guerrillas.

This has become a reality in Colombia. The country’s judicial system has been reduced to a formality as a result of drug cartels having more financial and military power than the state. The urban economy depends on narcotics, and in some areas, about 30% of the urban workforce is working for companies run by drug smugglers. In addition, members of drug cartels have entered national and municipal government.

In Mexico, a “war” between the government and drug smugglers broke out. Since 2006, the Calderón administration pushed forward with a major drug control policy known as the War on Drugs. It is said that about 70,000 people, including police, politicians, journalists, and ordinary citizens, lost their lives during the 6-year crackdown and purge of drug smuggling organizations. This war on drugs is still going on. Needless to say, the prolonged war on drugs has brought about the exhaustion and devastation of the country.

Solving the Narcotics Problem
with International Relations as an Issue of Security

How can we solve the narcotics problem?

FukumiThe narcotics industry is a “global business” and its impact naturally extends to countries and relations between countries. This problem cannot be solved by imposing responsibility only on economically weak producers. For this reason, the United States, which shares borders with Latin America, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of American States (OAS) are providing assistance to resolve the narcotics problem.

Law enforcement and alternative development are two of the most promising policies for narcotics control. In recent years, alternative development has been actively implemented on the basis of international support. Alternative development is an attempt to change the way the economy relies on the narcotics industry by developing new agriculture and industries to replace narcotics cultivation in production areas. Thailand’s Royal Project is the most successful example. The project was developed with international assistance from the United Nations and other organizations, and a mechanism was created encompassing everything from the production to the sale of about 2,000 kinds of crops, facilitating the autonomy of farmers and improving their economic conditions.

However, this is a rare success case. In reality, a variety of issues prevent the adoption of alternative development. One such example is Plan Colombia, the first narcotics control policy proposed by Colombia in Latin America to the world. It was an epoch-making policy to comprehensively control narcotics by combining laws and regulations with alternative development. Although the project called for support from the United States and the EU, it did not materialize as planned because the EU, which has a rival mentality toward the United States, did not participate.

While every country wishes to eradicate narcotics, the economic, political, and other problems that lie between countries are making it a difficult problem to solve. In order to solve these problems, multifaceted knowledge and perspectives on international relations are essential.

For Those Wishing to Study International Relations

FUKUMI Sayaka

FUKUMI SayakaAssociate Professor,
College of International Relations

In my master’s and doctoral programs in the UK, I focused on the problem of narcotics, and began to research the impact of the narcotics industry on national and international relations and national narcotics control policies. I feel that today’s Japan is becoming a society that does not allow for a diversity of values. If we are bound by a narrow set of values and justice, we will not be able to find clues to solve the narcotics problem and other new international threats. I want young people to look at the wider world and realize that there are various sets of values in the world and that there is more than one sense of justice and morality.

For Those Interested in New Threats: MOVIES

Movie

The Godfather

1972, United States

Movie

Traffic

2000, United States

Movie

Maria Full of Grace

2004, joint production between United States and Colombia

Drama series

Narcos

2015, United States(Netflix)

Drama series

EL Chapo

2017, United States(Netflix)