Transformation of Drug Control and Prevention in Asian Context:
Proactive Targeting of Drug Trafficking
*Tae-Jin Chung Sam Houston
State University College of Criminal Justice
Kyung-Soo Chun Korea
National Police Agency
Drug control and prevention strategy among
law enforcement agencies in Asian countries was reactive while drug-related
crimes increased significantly. Since drug-consuming populations are smaller and
other criminal activities are considered more serious than that of western
countries¡¯, drug enforcement was not considered as a top priority business in
Asian policing. Drug users have been arrested more often than producers,
transformers or couriers. Arrests of drug users have insignificantly affected
the fast-growing drug problems. Recently, however, drug control and illicit drug
trafficking are becoming more important issues since its impact and potential
harm to economies and political systems are critical. South Korea, China, Japan
and ASEAN member nations are required to cope with surging multinational
narcotic trafficking (Cash-strapped North Korea is smuggling huge amount of
drugs into Northeast Asian countries. The North is targeting Russia, China and
Japan for its drug trafficking and North Korea has been found to smuggle the
drugs into South Korea via those countries). As an effective proactive anti-drug
strategy, there are four major policy challenges suggested: disconnecting drug
distribution channels, eliminating the demand for drugs, promoting public
awareness of the drug problem, and facilitating international information
exchanges for the crusade. Using the proactive targeting of drug trafficking and
maintaining the co-operation of law-enforcement agencies among the Asian
countries are key factors to control and to prevent drugs from our societies.