Drugs and violent conflicts are closely linked. Illicit drug economies are often formed in regions beset by conflict in politically unstable conditions of weak statehood. Conversely, violent conflicts are particularly common in countries that are home to the main drug-growing regions or passed through by major illicit drug trafficking routes. Profits from the drug trade may be decisive factors in violent clashes between rival groups. The link between drugs and conflicts poses a serious threat to development projects in countries such as Afghanistan, Colombia and Bolivia. International drug policy and approaches to crisis prevention, conflict transformation and peace-building cannot ignore drug problems in conflict-ridden regions if they hope to achieve sustainable development. The discussion paper prepared by the Development-Oriented Drug Control Programme (DDC) highlights the link between drugs and conflict and provides recommendations for development cooperation.

• Drugs and Conflict
  Discussion Paper 2007
  en-eod-broschuere-drugs-and-conflict.pdf, 0.99 MB (English)