Unasur countries discussed on drugs

Intercambios

On November 17-18, the South American Council on the World Drug Problem met in La Paz, Bolivia. Delegates from the twelve countries that make up the regional bloc participated.

Within a sphere that appears as alternative to the Inter-American Drug Abuse Commission (CICAD), Unasur countries discussed at the South American Council on the World Drug Problem, with record attendance.

Argentina was represented by Mónica Cuñarro, Executive Secretary of the National Coordinating Commission on Public Policies for Prevention and Control of Narcotics Illicit Traffic, Transnational Organized Crime and Corruption; and Eduardo Bustos Villar, Secretary of Determinants of Health of the National Ministry of Health.

The agenda focused on: the ratification of the South American Plan on drug demand and supply, the endorsement of methodology for the Plan of Action approved by the Council, the discussion of agreements with the European Union, and issues of drugs legislative harmonization.

Within the approved plan, different lines of action were also discussed: demand, control, money laundering, South American Observatory, prevention and training, comprehensive development and vulnerable groups, smoking cocaine, institutional strengthening, and legislative harmonization.

As decided in La Paz, Eduardo Bustos Villar will chair the Demand Commission. Argentina will also be in charge of legislative harmonization and links between countries, as Mónica Cuñarro was elected by acclamation to chair this task. The Centre for Police Training will also be under the responsibility of Argentina, Bolivia and Colombia.

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