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Current policies may undermine social cohesion
This aim of creating a “drug-free society” has not always dominated the public and political landscape in Southeast Asia.
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Fight against drugs: Bogor regency Prosecutor's Office head Bambang Hartarto (second left) shows a package of confiscated marijuana at a Nov. 1 press conference. (JP/Theresia Sufa)
W
ith regional and international heads of state gathering in Manila for the 31st ASEAN Summit on Nov. 10-14, it seems appropriate to examine whether or not there are more effective drug policies than those currently at play in dealing with the harms caused by the presence of drugs in society.
As former heads of state from Africa, Europe and Latin America, we recognize the fear that many communities feel, and the distress of policy-makers in dealing with drugs. Sadly, however, this distress has too often resulted in punitive drug policies, which are based on repression with a view of completely ridding society of drugs.
This aim of creating a “drug-free society” has not always dominated the public and political landscape in Southeast Asia. In several countries, traditional uses of some drugs such as cannabis, opium or kratom were tolerated and accepted. Indeed, the current prohibitionist international drug control regime is largely a Western construct, based on the UN conventions and political declarations, advancing a “drug-free society” as an objective.
This objective has not been achieved. The vision for a “drug-free ASEAN by 2015” did not materialize for the most part because the aim was unrealistic, not because the level of repression was not high. Over five decades of prohibition have shown that applying harsh penalties to those who consume drugs are no more dissuasive in curbing drug use than more proportionate sentencing.
