Position Paper

POSITION PAPER COMMITTEE United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UNCND) COUNTRY India DELEGATE Akash Majumdar TOPIC AREA Drug trafficking is a worldwide problem which has an immense impact on the socio-economical condition of countries as well as their political condition. One of the countries which are at the centre of this problem is Afghanistan, which produces approximately 93% of the world’s opium. To address this issue, we need to invest both our time and resources to get to the root of this predicament. Neighboring countries of Afghanistan, including India can play an important role in solving this problem. CAUSES Opium trafficking is a major problem in the world, but for the underdeveloped economy of Afghanistan, opium production has become a lifesustaining source of income for a sizeable population of the country. Opium trade accounts for 52% of Afghanistan’s GDP. For the young and underresourced Afghan government, monitoring of opium production has been a major obstacle that the government is unable to undertake. The world body has the responsibility to help Afghanistan combat this illicit drug trade by providing the necessary resources including help in alternate sources of agricultural income. POLICIES The Indian government needs to have a continuous dialogue with the government of Afghanistan, trying to undermine the poppy production and

provide information of agricultural substitutes. Also, as the Indian government, efforts would be made to strengthen border security in order to prevent illicit trade of opium into India. The Indian government, in turn, will make sure to enact laws to maximally prosecute drug traffickers, putting into effect severe punishment for offenders. SOLUTIONS 1) A regional council with representatives from countries of Southern Asia including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Burma, Iran and Afghanistan should be formed so that a cooperative effort in dealing with this issue can be undertaken 2) The Indian government, on their part, should crack down on the Afghaninfluenced opium trade routes in India, ensuring that trafficking ceases. 3) The drug trafficking network needs to be broken, so that the supply line is disrupted. 4) India will provide Afghanistan with resources in the agricultural field to help the poppy farmers to cultivate alternate crops for their subsistence 5) All three defense corporations (army, navy, and air force) of India need to cooperate to help find the trafficking route and break the supply and demand chain. 6) The Indian government will make efforts to educate its population against the ill-effects of drugs, especially young adults vulnerable to drug traffickers and peddlers. 7) The Indian government will encourage and support non-profit organizations to help rehabilitate drug addicts and provide them with education and training to support their lives. CONCLUSION In order to address the drug trafficking problem, India can play a significant role in putting a stop to the drug trafficking taking place in Afghanistan, buy supporting Afghanistan with resources and armed forces. The only possibility for successful execution of the plan of action is international cooperation. This can only be done by “Acting locally and thinking globally.”