To: Wynne Ferdinand, Head of Department
From: Shirley Baez
Subject: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Meeting
Date: April 7, 2016
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
The United States government funds many United Nations organizations. By now, as the new head of our department, you've attended several meetings where you got to meet with the head of each department and other important members. Your next meeting is with the United Nations office on Drugs and Crime. This memo covers the following information on this organization: what it does, how it’s run and what our future funding options are. You will be meeting with the Executive Director of the UNODC who also happens to be the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna to discuss
…show more content…
In order to be hired to work for the UN or specifically for the UNODC, the employee must first, fill out an application on the UN careers site for the job of their choice. Upon submission, the application is evaluated in terms of experience, education and skills. Only if it is determined that the candidate met most or all of the requirements will they be contacted to undergo an assessment. These assessments may be a knowledge-based test or another type of simulation exercise. Based on the results of the test, candidates will then participate in a competency-based interview. Lastly, should the candidate be a fit for the position after all the assessments, a decision will be made by the head of the department.
Current Membership
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) are commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Governing Bodies of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Their decisions provide guidance to the Member States and the UNODC. The task at hand for both Commissions is how to improve the governance structure and financial situation of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
In reference to members, the fact sheet on elections and membership on the UNODC site states the following on the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal
The DEA is the primary agency to enforce federal drug laws and follow up on drug investigations in foreign countries. The DEA mission is “to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States to those organizations and principal members of organizations, involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances for illicit traffic in the United State” (Drug Enforcement Administration, n.d., ¶ 1). Some of the responsibilities under the DEA include investigating and preparing for prosecutions of offenders who operate in the U.S. and internationally. Drug offenders also include local gangs who carry out drug distribution in our communities. DEA manages a national drug intellect program in collaboration with local, state, federal, and foreign officials to gather and investigate distribution tactics.
The SDN list is simply outdated and drug fronts change names rapidly, our first suggestion was an update to the SDN list to include many companies we believe to be heavily involved in illicit drug trade. We have repeatedly seen that although foreign governments may be “disciplined to cooperate, its businesses may feel differently.” And although the UN and international community may agree upon acceptable business partnerships, companies have historically shown blatant disregard when it comes to potentially making money.
Horwitz, B. (2010). The Role of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD): Confronting the Pro
Unfortunately for the illicit drug market, disrupt in the supply chain does not just occur during production, but can also be intercepted during transportation. According to the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (2015), “the U.S. Coast Guard, seized one submersible and two semi-submersible vessel for transporting drugs [from Colombia]” (138). The threat of confiscation without compensation, due to drugs being a part of an illicit economy, compels traffickers to utilize more covert and inventive methods in the movement of substances. An example of a preventative measure commonly applied by organized crime groups is a monetary bribe provided to customs officers for purposefully overlooking drug smuggling across country borders, “higher levels of income inequality are also known to provoke drug trafficking and corruption… members of marginalized groups may view corruption and involvement in criminal organizations as a viable way to improve their lives” (The Drug Problem and Organized Crime, Illicit Financial Flows, Corruption, and Terrorism 33). Comparatively to members of the illicit narcotics market, individuals a part of the criminal justice system may succumb to bribery for financial gain as a result of perceived income inequality. Consequently of globalization, an enhancement of
Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs with various other law enforcement and intelligence gathering agencies, including the ODALE, was given the responsibility of enforcing the nation’s federal drug laws. It’s enormous sphere of influence is reflected in its Mission Statement which states among other things; “The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States and bring to the criminal and civil justice system of the United States, or any other competent jurisdiction, those organizations and principal members of organizations involved in the growing, manufacture, or distribution of controlled substances appearing in or destined for illicit traffic in the United States…”(15) The DEA was designed as an American agency with an international agenda.
dominating the drug industry are the Latin American and majority of Asian, specifically cocaine and heroin production. Global organised crime is evolving and embracing new markets and technologies; moving from the traditional hierarchies towards a more flexible, network based construct of organisation. To a certain extent, the legitimate world is a victim of its own accomplishment; the globalisation of the legal economy has globalised the underworld. This has provided the demands of numerous illicit services, and an improvement of policing ironically forcing criminals to become more organised to continue. The international organised crime groups that are working together and with an effect, dividing the globe amongst them. There is sufficient
We seek to shed some light on the two vastly similar, yet different stories that Mexico and Colombia share in this topic. Once the history of this conflict has been detailed, we can focus on any possible solutions and what their effects can be if implemented. This special commission of the U.N. was created to reform drug war policies and that is precisely what we intend on doing. The first step to eradicating the flow of drugs and the drug wars that result from it is to accept that what is currently being pursued is flawed and counter-productive.
The United Nations General Assembly is the primary assemblage of the United Nations.[1] It has 193 part nations, all of which share an equivalent vote on recommendations called "resolutions". This appears to be
The “War on Drugs” has been a hot topic for several decades in the United States. The argument for the success of this campaign usually varies depending on one’s political affiliation. The government handled the ongoing campaign differently with each new administration taking command, most of them having no little success. The fact of the matter is that the ideal of a “drug free civilization” is far from reality. The world is coming to terms that the various drug-fighting programs across the world are not producing the desired results. In fact, UN Office on Drugs and Crime doesn’t publicly aspire to reach a drug-free world. That wishful scenario seems very close to impossible at this moment. The office biggest claim to fame is that that the international drug markets have stabilized, which is not very optimistic.
The world has advanced over the centuries. To ensure progression and growth, society must embrace organizations which support improving the quality of human life. The United Nations is one such organization that has ensured the well-being of the human race by collaborating internationally on how to tactically approach conflicts. From combating terrorism to eradicating smallpox, the United Nations has resolved numerous foreign issues and international crises. The creation of the United Nations continues to be critical because the organization is a fundamental necessity for global peace, good relations, and development.
The American War on Drugs has aimed to abolish drug abuse through tough laws and punitive enforcement within and beyond United States’ borders. Although the term was only coined in 1971, it seems as though the War on Drugs is failing more miserably than ever before. Global consumption of opiates, cocaine, and marijuana has increased by 35 percent, 27 percent, and 9 percent between 1998 and 2008, according to the United Nations. This suggests that the global supply of illegal drugs is increasing while the drugs themselves become cheaper, fixed, and abundant. (Schlosser, 1994)
The UN doesn't quite do their job. They are expected to help other countries while in difficult situations but they help
This paper explains the consequences that drug traffickers face in today’s criminal justice system; those consequences being classed as controlled substances, federal trafficking sentences, offender and offense characteristics, and the effects of illegal drug trade on society. When the federal government labels a substance as controlled, this means the possession and distribution of these substances are governed by law. These laws are formulated in accordance with 21 U.S. Code § 811 – 814 - Authority to Control; Standards and Schedules. Both federal and state laws come into play on drug trafficking cases. There are a great deal of federal drug law in addition to each state having its own drug laws. Policymakers generally pass these laws to discourage drug cartels but it is often the street dealers that are prosecuted. “There were 80,035 cases reported the United States Sentencing Commission in fiscal year 2013. Of these cases 22,215 involved drug trafficking (U.S. Sentencing Commission 2014).” As seen in recent years, the division of government administrations and departments over how the ‘War on Drugs’ should be conducted, has divided society all because of drug trafficking. Although the trafficking of drugs degrades local, state, and federal economies, drug trafficking also reduces health for those that use and are in close contact with individuals both physically and psychologically. The penalties for drug trafficking are categorized and divided into many areas but not
Alongside the need or want for drugs, a market is available to move, buy, and sell drugs usually run by small groups of individuals. There have been certain key players in regards to nations that have provided an environment for this market of cultivation and production of substances and trafficking. Often it is due to a lack of a strong government and a weak economy, pushing otherwise hard working, honest people to make a living by other means. Despite Colombia’s relatively strong economy and stable government, the following introduction of coca from Peru and Bolivia took hold. Colombia became one nation that largely contributed to cocaine and heroin trafficking. A country that initially produced and exported small amounts of cocaine in the early 1970’s now has a major role throughout the world.5
This report describes briefly about the history of International Relations (IR) and United Nation (UN) Organization as well as the role of UN in international relation with the world government. It also contain about the importance of international relation and the actors and influencers, power politics, waning of the war, international system, foreign policy, military force and terrorism, international organization, law and human rights. Moreover, it also involve the correlation between International Relations and United Nation Organization as well as the work of UN and its agencies worldwide in handling different issues within the International Relation context.