DRUG TRAFFICKING IN THECARRIBEAN JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD Thesis

DRUG TRAFFICKING IN THECARRIBEAN JAMAICA AND TRINIDAD - Thesis Example The cultural values and the social economic problems have also acted as catalysts towards the crime. To deal with the problem, it is essential that these nations adopt a comprehensive policy to eliminate the problem for once and for all. Introduction A drug is defined to as any substance that alters the normal functioning of the body if absorbed by an individual (Forsyth et al, 1993; Lavelle et al, 1991).). There are many types of drugs, and therefore its definition can be varied depending on the context. It may be viewed from the pharmaceutical context or the recreational point of view. One may also look at it from the contexts of legal versus the illegal drugs. Despite the different contexts, drugs will always cause harm when overly used. From here, the word drug abuse is coined. The major concern is usually on the illegal drugs, which include heroine, marijuana, and cocaine among others The normal functioning of the mind and body is always altered, causing great concerns in the me dical contexts (Johnston et al, 2008). Surveys indicate that many people, across the genders and ages are addicted to drugs. They are sometimes unable to have full control of their lives, sometimes necessitating the immediate friends and family to assist them in every aspect of their lives. The measures to curb these behaviors are faced with setbacks due to the lucrative business that continues to grow in many parts of the world. The drugs are always made available to anybody who wills to use them. Therefore, many lives are destroyed due to this easy access and lack of policy to deal with the problem. Psychological problems may well be blamed for the rampant drug usage and abuse (Purvis and McInnis, 2009). However, their very presence is also to blame. Without their availability, people have no choice but deal with their problems in many other ways. The global world looks at the problem as criminal, and a problem that needs to be dealt with urgently. Many lives have already been los t, and we can no longer watch as the young people lose their future. The old have become unproductive and a burden to the family in every home due to the use of drugs. The solution lies with the people who would expose such crimes and bring sanity to the world. The problem is no longer confined to specific region, but it affects the whole world in general. It is therefore a global problem. There are regions that are well known for drug trafficking; majorly acting as the supply base for the rest of the world. The best thing is that the regions are well known by the general public. Drug trafficking became rampant in 1970’s, affecting many parts of the world. Among the worst affected areas were West Indian islands, the Caribbean basin and the South American states. In particular, the Caribbean basin region became the supply base for the drugs, meeting demands of the majority in many parts of the world. The business gained popularity, with the majority earning good money from the business. This may explain why many people were attracted to the business, with the consideration of the poverty that faced these regions. The socio economic problems pushed more people into the drug supply deals din the Caribbean, and a strong alliance was formed between the states that were involved in the transactions. Surveys indicate that twenty percent of drugs that are demanded in the US are supplied through the Caribbean region (Purvis and McInn