U.N. Drug Chief Speaks at Drug Reform Conference
December 8th, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
Antonio Maria Costa, the United Nations’ top anti-drug official, addressed the annual Drug Policy Reform Conference in New Orleans this week, sponsored by the Drug Policy Alliance.
Reason reported Dec. 6 that Costa was the highest-profile supporter of the “war on drugs” to ever appear at the conference, which largely skews toward drug decriminalization, harm reduction, and legalization.
Costa heard from a few hecklers but also received high marks for showing up at the conference. He acknowledged that drug eradication and interdiction have little long-term impact on drug consumption, and decried black-market related violence in the U.S. along with global crime and violence associated with drug trafficking.
Costa also called for more attention to drug treatment and prevention, and admitted that the goal of a “drug-free world” would never be achieved. On the other hand, he likened drug use (including alcohol and tobacco) to hunger, poverty and AIDS as something to be fought, even if never conquered — a position at odds with many in the audience who did not view drug use as inherently bad.