The Neo-Patrimonial ‘Use’ of Drug Policy in Electoral Processes

The prohibition of illegal drug production, use and trafficking has resulted in several shortcomings and negative consequences for other global development objectives. According to available evidence, current drug control policies undermine the international community’s commitments to public health, criminal justice, sustainable development, women rights, human rights, poverty alleviation and the reduction of inequalities. This policy comment focuses on the impact of repressive drug policies on state institutions and politics. In a unique conjunction of interests, prohibition allows transnational criminal organisations to weaken state institutions, corrupt civil and military officials and influence control policies because of the entrenched neo-patrimonialism in political life. Therefore, prohibition allows populist and political contenders to stigmatise a minority population—people who use drugs, in opposition to the desires of the majority rule. The use of political emotions, based on fear or promise of change, undermines effective responses to drugs, erodes the rule of law and trust between authorities and populations, and weakens state institutions and democratic governance. This policy comment provides examples from low- and middle-income countries, as well as cases from high-income countries, of the impact of drug prohibition and its illegal proceeds on governance through neo-patrimonialism, clientelism and the weakening of institutions. ; L'interdiction de la production, de la consommation et du trafic de stupéfiants est la cause d’un certain nombre de problèmes et de conséquences négatives sur d’autres objectifs de développement mondial. De multiples données montrent que les politiques actuelles de contrôle des drogues sapent les engagements de la communauté internationale en matière de santé publique, de justice pénale, de développement durable, de droits des femmes, de droits humains, de lutte contre la pauvreté et de réduction des inégalités. Cette contribution se concentre sur les conséquences des ...