UNODC Abstracts

Topic A: Drugs and Human Trafficking as Threats to Maritime Security in Southeast Asia.

Maritime drug trafficking, exploits the vastness of the maritime environment, allowing criminal organizations to transport drugs across borders and evade law enforcement. While anti-narcotics and maritime security forces play a role in combating this crime, other sectors, including coastal societies, shipping industries, and the media, are crucial in addressing the roots of illegal maritime drug trafficking. Human trafficking, which could be described as "modern slavery," affects millions in Southeast Asia, with 40 million people trapped in forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced marriage. The region has become a hotspot for human trafficking, with Thailand and Malaysia being key destinations. The victims, predominantly women and children, face various forms of exploitation, emphasizing the transnational and complex nature of this threat to stability.

The pandemic further impacted trafficking patterns, with a shift to maritime routes, particularly the Western Ocean Route. Interconnection threats posed by drug consumption, rising addiction problems, and socioeconomic shocks, affect local societies and stability in Southeast Asia. Efforts to address these threats include improving coastal monitoring, enhancing information exchange, and fostering regional coordination among law enforcement agencies. The UNODC plays a crucial role in providing technical support and tools for sharing information, emphasizing the need for greater collaboration and coordination to effectively combat maritime drug and human trafficking in Southeast Asia.

Topic B: Countering the Unregulated Access to Illicit Substances among the Youth.

The unregulated access to illicit substances poses a significant threat to the health and well-being of youth. This accessibility to illegal drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, contributes to severe consequences such as addiction, mental health issues, academic problems, and legal troubles. The teenage years, marked by identity exploration and challenges, make some adolescents susceptible to drug experimentation, driven by curiosity, peer acceptance, or an escape from problems. Access to drugs has become more prevalent, both in the real and virtual worlds, with friends, family, schoolmates, and online sources serving as suppliers. The repercussions of illicit substance use among youth extend to physical health issues, mental health deterioration, strained social relationships, legal consequences, and academic setbacks.

The consequences of drug abuse among young individuals not only affect them personally but also impact their families, communities, and society at large. Various United Nations entities are actively engaged in combating youth access to illegal substances through international conventions and cooperation with governmental and non-governmental entities. Focusing on prevention, intervention, and educational initiatives is crucial to countering the far-reaching consequences of illicit substance use among the youth.