The Legal Committee, day 2

By Astrid Dudian

The current problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Latin America generated a lively debate in the Legal Committee. The discussion revolved around finding a rightful solution to the difficult situation and the benefits and disadvantages of the legalization of soft drugs such as cannabis.

The major points in the debate were brought by the delegates of Venezuela, The United Kingdom, The United States of America, Estonia, Greece, China, Denmark and Vietnam. The UK suggested a very important motion by taking a stand in favor of the legalization of soft drugs. The US, Australia, Venezuela, Denmark, France, Guatemala agreed with the UK, while Estonia, Germany, China and Greece explained how the legalization would not only fail to improve the circumstances, but also worsen the current situation. The delegate of Greece and China stated that, just by legalizing some drugs, the black market wouldn’t be diminished, while the nations in favor of the motion, upheld the fact that legalization would benefit Latin America’s economy by the implementation of taxes that would emerge an extra income and by providing jobs on the legal market and in such taking action in the poverty issues.

The delegates also discussed other solutions. Many of the countries supported the development of the rehabilitation system in order to help drug addicts. The majority of the delegates agreed on investing in education on the grounds that the most efficient way to solve the drug abuse issue is to inform the population of its dangers. Another solution brought to the table was strengthening the border control in order to reduce drug trafficking. Some of the nations such as Estonia, Sweden and the UK also agreed upon punishing the traffickers and the roots of the cartels, while Australia considered provoking the cartels would only worsen the situation.

The debate ended with speeches on the topic of solutions such as border control and education.