To prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals for use in the illicit manufacture of drugs, governments must have adequate legislation in line with the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances as well as effective working mechanisms and procedures for information feedback between the authorities involved in the control of precursor chemicals. The International Narcotics Control Board in its report for 2005 examines actions taken recently and highlights both successful results and shortcomings.

This book provides a richly detailed ethnography of Kenyan khat, tracing some of the many national and transnational trajectories this controversial stimulant takes from its centre of production in the Nyambene Hills to consumers in Kenya and throughout the world. The author, guided by his friend and khat connoisseur M'Mucheke, draws out the full economic, social and cultural significance of the substance, situating this significance within current debates on the legality of khat and the global rhetoric of the 'war on drugs'. The work explores how networks of Kenyan khat bring people of diverse backgrounds together in sometimes uneasy relationships, and highlights the vast cluster of meanings this remarkable commodity has accrued in its 'social life'.

Plan Colombia was an ambitious, multibillion dollar program of American aid to the country of Colombia to fight that nation s recreational drug industry. First signed into law by President Clinton in 2000, the program would, over a twelve year period, provide the Colombian government with more money than every other country in the region. But how successful was Plan Colombia, and is it a model worthwhile in applying to other countries? In "The Losing War," Jonathan D. Rosen applies international relations theory to understand how the goals and objectives of Plan Colombia evolved over time, particularly after the events of 9/11. Rosen analyzes the evolution of Plan Colombia and evaluates whether this initiative achieved its goals. Various individuals, including Alvaro Uribe, the president of Colombia from 2002 2010, and George W. Bush, argued that Plan Columbia should be used as a model to help other countries combat drug trafficking. Plan Colombia was not mentioned in the Obama administration s 2011 budget proposal and no longer exists today. Rosen concludes that the policy failed to make substantial inroads in curtailing drug cultivation, production, or trafficking, thus calling into question the value of applying the same strategy to other countries, such as Mexico, in the present or future."