By Han-Eol Cho
마약문제의 근원적인 해결은 국제적인 마약범죄(痲藥犯罪) 조직에 대한 대응 못지않게 저개발국가 농민들의 생계형 재배를 근절시키는게 중요하다고 유엔이 제시했다.
유엔 경제사회이사회(ECOSOC)는 15일 ‘지속가능발전과 마약’이란 주제로 54개 회원국 및 국제기구 대표가 참석하여 패널토론을 펼쳤다.
오준 유엔대사의 사회로 진행된 이날 토론에서 패널리스트들은 “마약문제의 근원적인 해결은 마약범죄 신디케이트들에 대한 체계적인 대응과 함께 저개발 국가 농민들의 ‘생계형 마약 재배’에 효과적이고 지속가능한 대안(代案)을 제공해야 한다”는데 인식을 같이 했다.
이날 토론에서는 태국, 페루 등 공권력, 물리력 등을 동원한 ‘마약과의 전쟁’의 한계를 경험한 국가들의 사례를 청취하고, 점조직 형태로 마약을 재배하는 저개발국 농민들이 대체작물을 재배할 수 있도록 지원하는 등 보다 영리한 경제적 회유책이 해결방안으로 논의되어야 한다는 결론에 도달했다.
이날 반기문 총장은 비디오영상을 통해 “마약 재배 농민들이 대체작물 재배는 물론, 도로와 다리 준설 등 시장에 대한 접근성을 높이고 직업 창출까지 고려하는게 중요하다”고 강조했다.
양귀비와 같은 마약 채취 식물들은 아프가니스탄과 미얀마와 같은 저개발국가에서 대량 재배되고 있다. 한편 이날 패널토론 내용은 2016년 있을 ‘유엔 마약 특별회의’에 반영될 예정이다.
뉴욕=조한얼특파원 newsroh@gmail.com
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Development and alternative crops provide hope in war on illicit drugs – UN
Senior United Nations officials today called for a greater focus on development activities and alternative crops in countries where the tight grip of drug lords has disrupted peace, security and development, such as in Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Addressing a high-level event on “Sustainable Development and the World Drug Problem,” organized by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the importance of helping farmers grow alternative crops, work to stabilize markets and create decent jobs.
“When we take these measures, we do more than fight drugs and crime – we promote progress and peace,” Mr. Ban said in his video message to the event.
The Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, stressed the UN agency’s successes in fighting drugs, but also reiterated the need to help communities build jobs and create infrastructure so that farmers could deliver their licit crops to markets.
“Good roads, reliable bridges, and stable environments are as equally important to farmers as crops and market place,” said Mr. Fedotov in his video address to the participants.
UNODC is active in Afghanistan, where opium poppy cultivation hit a record high in 2013, rising by 36 per cent, while production rose by almost half since 2012. In South-east Asia, opium poppy cultivation in the area known as the Golden Triangle, which includes Myanmar, rose for the seventh consecutive year, according to the UN agency.
“Our goal must be to give farmers additional choices, so that they can move away from illicit drugs, and in so doing, live a life based equally on fairness and prosperity,” Mr. Fedotov added.
Some 200,000 people are still victims of drug-related deaths, according to the latest UNODC ‘World Drug Report’. In 2012, between 162 million and 324 million people, corresponding to between 3.5 per cent and 7 per cent of the world population aged 15-64, had used an illicit drug – mainly a substance belonging to the cannabis, opioid, cocaine or amphetamine-type stimulants group – at least once in the previous year, the UN agency reported.
The extent of problem drug use by regular drug users and those with drug use disorders or dependence remains stable, at between 16 million and 39 million people, spotlighting the need to treat drug addiction as a health problem.
ECOSOC President Martin Sajdik highlighted the successes of national drug strategies in countries which include primary prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and social reintegration measures, as well as measures aimed at minimizing the public health and social consequences of drug abuse.
He also emphasized the importance of alternative development and tackling the drug problem through an integrated and balanced manner that respects the rule of law and human rights.
Mr. Sajdik also noted the important role played by civil society, including the scientific community and non-governmental organizations to address the challenges, as well as cooperation between relevant UN bodies and entities.
Today’s discussions are being held as the international community works to reach the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 deadline and shapes the future sustainable development agenda.
The discussions will also contribute to preparations for the UN General Assembly’s Special Session on the World Drug Problem due to take place in 2016, the UN officials said.
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