Stopping drugs on the high seas is a global concern that requires the cooperation of all nations. The flow and use of illegal drugs effects all three levels of security individual, state, and international. Individuals become addicted, which puts their health and well-being in danger and lowers their productivity potential. Illegal drugs take money out of a nation s economy, damages its work force, and creates social instability. Resources must be redirected to fight the war on drugs instead of being used for such things as education and infrastructure.
Illegal drugs are an international concern because they are an export industry.
Both the producing and consuming nations are hurt by the loss of resources. The drug industry takes money and capital out of economic systems while vital agricultural resources that should be used for food or legal cash crops are lost to the production of cocoa, opium poppy, and marijuana. The flow of drugs around the world causes tension in the community as states point fingers as who is to blame for trafficking and resources for to prevent and stop trafficking shrink. Two important aspects in the war on drugs is the much needed increases in resources and the development of maritime agreements. In order to effectively detect, monitor, and interdict traffickers, states need more funding and better training for their personnel.