UNODC members struggle for compromise

Conflicting opinions and heightened tensions colored the atmosphere surrounding UNODC members struggling to reconcile six differing ideologies as the chair announced that the agenda held space for only four resolutions. The announcement left delegates scrambling to merge solutions while preserving their individual ideas to prevent the exposure of children and adolescents to drug abuse.

“There’s a lot of different philosophies of how to approach the problem even though we all have the same endgame of assisting youth affected by drug exposure,” a delegate from Canada said. “Right now, I think the most important thing is figuring out the basis of each solution and compromising so everyone is heard.”

On one side of the division, delegates from Poland lead the discussion about criminal justice system reform, preemptive drug education programs and addict rehabilitation. Delegates participating in the discussion believed that their approach had the most potential for a long-term resolution.

“We’re primarily advocating for rehabilitation and education in place of depriving people of their liberties,” the delegate from Poland said. “It’s definitely a more liberal approach than others in the room, but we believe it ensures a more permanent resolution to youth drug exposure.”

However, delegates from Malaysia upheld the belief that proactive use-of-force and border control are prerequisite to the Poland’s ideas of increasing awareness and rehabilitating drug offenders.

“Combating drug trafficking at its source and strengthening border security are the most efficient way to protect our youth,” the delegate representing Benin, a supporter of Malaysia’s ideas, said. “These measures [are] required before education and rehab can begin to be effective.”

Despite the vast difference in principles, the majority of committee members strove to meet the chair’s ultimatum and compromise.

“I think a lot of us really want to collaborate with each other,” the delegate from Germany said in the midst of a discussion with Poland’s supporters about merging solutions. “Enough room on the agenda aside, we need cohesive solutions so we can focus on what’s important: saving the world’s youth from drug exposure.”