Developing and transition countries are particularly affected by the global drug problem. Traditionally, drug crops are cultivated mainly in developing countries in Latin America (coca plant), Asia (opium poppy) and North Africa (cannabis).

The cultivation of drug crops offers farmers at most a short-term source of income and does not necessarily lead to peaceful coexistence, provide access to state health and education services or improve access to legal markets. In the context of the international drug policy and UN drug conventions, the drug-producing countries are faced with the task of reducing the cultivation of drug crops and stopping global trafficking in illegal drugs. National, regional and international strategies and initiatives have been developed and are being implemented to aim at achieving a sustainable reduction in the drug problem over the long term.

Drugs are used regularly by 200 million people worldwide. Only a few years ago, the phenomenon of drug misuse was thought to be confined to the rich industrialised countries. However, developing and transition countries have long been struggling with drug misuse among their people on a much larger scale as well as with the related consequences for health and society – for example, 5 to 10 % of all HIV infections worldwide can be traced back to drug misuse.

This is accompanied by other negative phenomena such as drug-related crime, prostitution and a black economy that make deep inroads into social, political and economic processes. Against a backdrop of difficult circumstances, governmental and non-governmental bodies in partner countries are confronted with the challenge of developing the provision of effective and qualitative drug misuse prevention and treatment. Increasing advantage is being taken of new and proven solutions, which move away from a purely repressive to a more health-oriented approach.