Co-operation between South American countries in the struggle against drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

The South American Agreement on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ASEP), which entered into force on 26 March 1976, has enhanced co-operation between South American countries in the struggle against drug problems. This co-operation has promoted the regional responsibility and the use of regional resources in coping with the drug problem in South America and has helped to increase the regional support for international drug control initiatives. The established machinery and instruments within ASEP, which are designed to suit best the circumstances in South America, include the annual conference of States parties, the Permanent Secretariat, the regional centres, the technical advisory committees and other co-ordinated programmes and activities intended to reduce drug problems. Each of the five regional centres that have been or are being established focuses on one of the following subject areas: treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education, suppression of illicit drug trafficking, documentation, and customs techniques. With regard to the eradication of narcotic crops, ASEP considers the idea of integrated community development to be an appropriate approach to eradicating coca plantations in those areas where the growing of coca bush is part of the cultural tradition.