American Expatriate Costa Rica

UNODC is suggesting different alternatives for minor drug offenses

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is suggesting different alternatives for minor drug offenses, especially when women are involved.

The recommendation was given during a workshop on drug control policies, women and imprisonment.

Those people are the weakest links in drug trafficking and they are easily replaceable. Sentences are not proportional to the damage that their actions have caused to public health,

stated the warning.

Thus they recommend the implementation of measures such as fines, community service work or house arrest.

According to the World Drug Report 2016, prepared by UNODC, 12% of women in jail in 2014 (either preventively or because of judgment) were involved in several of drug-related offenses.

The study indicates that the proportion of sentences between men and women remains similar in terms of convictions for drug trafficking. However, the data show the problem that exists regarding women getting involved in drug trafficking.

crhoy.com