UNODC Masterclass: Delegates solve Drug Crisis by Talking in Circles for Two Hours

Today’s UNODC session set out to tackle the global smuggling of opioids and weapons, but somehow ended up feeling more like a case study in how not to get things done.

India kicked things off by pointing out that drug use is rising and suggested improving pharmaceutical networks — which sounded a bit like trying to fix drug trafficking by selling more medicine at pharmacies. Italy followed with a call for better international cooperation to track and monitor drugs, but nobody seemed quite sure who would actually do the tracking.

Ukraine was firm: they don’t need outside help, just better border control. Fair enough — but how? No one knows.

Pakistan, a country right at the heart of the opioid trade, asked for more collaboration and “greater initiatives,” though exactly what those initiatives would be was left as a mystery.

Then came Venezuela, the only delegate bold enough to directly question Russia. Russia responded with what felt like a very long speech that said almost nothing — a masterclass in avoiding the question.

To sum it up, there were pretty big promises but very little action. At this rate drug and weapon traffickers can sit back and relax as UNODC ‘attempts’ to fight against drug trafficking.

Searl Ping

The Onion