Evaluating Progress Against Illegal Drugs
"We welcome the development of the Multilateral Evaluation
Mechanism and reiterate our commitment to make this mechanism,
unique in the world, one of the central pillars in effective
hemispheric cooperation in the struggle against all the factors
that constitute the global drug problem."
-
Declaration of Quebec City, April 22, 2001 (Third Summit of the
Americas)
The nations of the Americas have undertaken a concerted,
continuous effort to address the complex problems caused by
illegal drugs. One important tool they are using is the
Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM), which measures
drug-control progress in 34 countries and the hemisphere as a
whole. It was created to increase coordination and cooperation
among the OAS member states, which recognize a shared
responsibility for the drug problem and have a common commitment
to confront and overcome this scourge.
The MEM acts on that understanding. All countries evaluate
and all are evaluated. The process does not impose sanctions; it
is based on cooperation. By sharing knowledge on
accomplishments, obstacles and strategies, the countries develop
a clearer picture of needs and weaknesses and identify areas
that warrant closer cooperation, better legislation, more
research or additional resources.
Three evaluation rounds of the MEM have now been completed.
Each evaluation covers two years; the first was for 1999-2000,
the second for 2001-2002. The national and hemispheric reports
of the third round, which covers 2003-2004, were presented to
the foreign ministers at the 2005
General Assembly
in Fort
Lauderdale.
The OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)
developed this monitoring mechanism in 1998, acting on a mandate
from the Second Summit of the Americas. Under the MEM process,
full evaluations are undertaken every two years, with reports in
alternate years focusing on how countries are carrying out the
recommendations.
The third-round national reports include a total of 506
recommendations – specific steps the countries and the region
can take to improve anti-drug efforts. Since the MEM process
began, 89% of the first-round and 64% of the second-round
recommendations have been implemented. CICAD has approved
requests from 16 member states for technical and financial
assistance to help comply with recommendations from the second
round of the MEM. Recommendations are assigned to countries to
assist them in strengthening their policies to combat drugs and
related activities, and to increase multilateral cooperation.
How the MEM process works
Each
government first completes a uniform questionnaire divided into
four main areas: institutional building and national plans,
demand reduction, reduction of drug production and control
measures. Countries provide data on a series of indicators, such
as area under cultivation for illicit crops, drug-trafficking
arrests, pharmaceutical and chemical substance control, and
prevention programs for at-risk populations. All aspects of
supply and demand are covered in the analyses. Governments also
provide information about what conventions they have ratified
and what domestic laws they have in place –
not only on illegal drugs, but on related issues such as money
laundering, trafficking in firearms, transnational organized
crime and corruption. The first evaluations were based on 61
indicators. After each of the first two rounds, CICAD revised,
eliminated and added indicators to reflect the evaluation
experience and new realities in the drug problem. The third
evaluation round is based on 86 indicators.
The MEM
Government Expert Group –
each country appoints one expert –
studies the data submitted, analyzes national progress on each
indicator, and drafts an evaluation report based on this and
subsequent information provided by the country during the
evaluation stage. Each expert is specialized in one or more
aspects of the drug issue, such as law enforcement, prevention
or health care. Experts do not participate in the evaluation of
their own country. The process is designed to maximize
participation and transparency; the governments have the
opportunity to review and comment on preliminary drafts.
Under the MEM process, each country covers the expenses of
its appointed expert as well as data gathering and research
costs. In addition, a number of countries have made donations to
cover the cost of administering the evaluation process. A
special Solidarity Fund helps to defray expenses in countries
that require assistance to meet their MEM obligations.
The MEM responds to the idea of shared responsibility for
the problem of drugs - affirmed in the 1996 Anti-Drug Strategy
in the Hemisphere - with a practical program that gives this
basic principle form in national actions.
Last updated:
June 2005
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