July 2013

Citizen Security Rising: New Approaches to Addressing Drugs, Guns and Violence in Latin America

This report argues that the protracted competition for control over the drug trade and the “war” conducted against the trade itself are both responsible for Latin America's continued insecurity and underdevelopment. It then goes on to highlight recent regional attempts to decrease, if not outright eradicate, the influence on drugs. The authors report that the emphasis is now on prevention, treating drug consumption as a public health issue rather than a crime, largely confronting the most violent criminal organizations, and redirecting law enforcement efforts toward harm reduction.

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