Drugs as an existential threat: an analysis of the international securitization of drugs

The International Journal on Drug Policy
Emily Crick

Abstract

The stated intention behind the establishment of the global drug prohibition regime was to protect the world from the dangers of drugs. At different points in history, drug production, use and supply have all been presented as threats to security whether human, national or international security. The international relations theory of securitization can be used as a way of explaining how and why the 'drugs as an existential threat' discourse holds so much power, even today. Speech acts such as the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Russia's 'Rainbow-2 Plan' clearly illustrate the development of the 'drugs as an existential threat' discourse at a global level with particular reference to mankind, the State and global peace and security, respectively. Analysis of these speech acts also shows how the power of the security narrative means that the global drug prohibition regime continues to remain pre-eminent despite the wealth of unintended consequences that it causes.

References

Jan 1, 1994·Parasitology Today·H Fujioka, M Aikawa
Oct 15, 2011·The International Journal on Drug Policy·David Bewley-Taylor, Martin Jelsma
Feb 11, 2014·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Pierre-Arnaud Chouvy, Kenza Afsahi

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Citations

Oct 16, 2015·Pain Management Nursing : Official Journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses·Khadra YassinAtef Al-Tawafsheh
Feb 8, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Euan Raffle
Feb 26, 2021·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Ben Mostyn

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