Illicit economies in opium and cocaine are generally regarded only as criminological problems to be solved mainly by law enforcement – which may be why sustainable solutions remain elusive. In his new book ‘Rethinking Illicit Economies in Opium and Cocaine: Policy Responses to Drug Crops in the Global South’, Dr Eric D. U. Gutierrez opens up new approaches to understanding and responding to the problem, including by looking at it as perfect storms involving unusual actors that create understudied and often invisible interdependent relationships. Perfect storms may involve illicit crop cultivation occurring amidst chronic poverty, conflict, criminality, corruption, and climate change. Unusual actors include criminal entrepreneurs who are typically hunted by law enforcement, but who may also be the only sources of investment and employment in collapsing local economies. Amidst the complexities of survival and resilience, intended and unintended interdependencies emerge, which have important implications for the design and implementation of development and peacebuilding responses.

In this Book Conversation, Dr Gutierrez will discuss key findings, how official monitoring and measurement tools inadvertently mischaracterise the phenomenon of illicit crops, and elaborate on an approach that avoids one-size-fits-all responses and promotes focus on the EU’s commitment to partnerships with smallholders, respect for human rights, smart sequencing, and local economic diversification. He will share recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners in approaching illicit economies in opium and cocaine through development and peacebuilding efforts.

Please note that this will be an online discussion.