Human trafficking and drugs—what’s the connection?

Source: The National Institute on Drug Abuse Blog Team. (2017, June 19). Human Trafficking and Drugs. Retrieved from https://teens.drugabuse.gov/blog/post/human-trafficking-and-drugs on July 22, 2019.

 

The NIDA Blog Team

June 19, 2017

“Human trafficking” is the subject of a new Government initiative that aims to increase awareness of the problem and how disasters (like floods and earthquakes) can increase the risks for it. We’re mentioning human trafficking on the Drugs & Health Blog because it’s an important issue that’s connected to drug trafficking.

 

flyer

 

Human trafficking and drugs—what’s the connection?

  • Trafficking of illegal drugs and human trafficking often happen together. Drug traffickers may also be transporting people as another source of money.
  • Human traffickers may also force their victims to smuggle drugs across borders.
  • Human traffickers can use drugs as “bait” to recruit people who have a substance use disorder. Or they can use drugs to force a victim to obey their orders or work harder or for longer hours.
Human Trafficking and Drugs, NIDA

Submitted by Laura Fulton on 24 July 2019

Permalink

Thanks for posting. Human trafficking is horrific and such an important topic to talk about. It is surprising to see the extent that human trafficking and drug trafficking intersect. I would be interested in learning more about how law enforcement might use this connection to target both problems (for example, do anti-human trafficking units and counter narcotics units ever collaborate and share resources, leads, etc?.).

Hi Laura! I share your interest in the subject and agree that parties and agencies responsible for addressing this issue should be working very closely and actively cooperating. Hopefully, on July 30, for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, we will see many related activities and will get access to specialized documents that organizations such as UNODC may share.

https://www.un.org/en/events/humantrafficking/