Jeanelle van GlaanenWeygel | Strengthening OAS-Jamaica partnership in addressing the drug problem

As Jamaica and the wider hemisphere prepare to observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, it is timely to reflect on the enduring partnership between Jamaica and the Organization of American States (OAS) in addressing one of the most complex and evolving challenges facing the Americas. 

This year’s observance is especially significant as it coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the OAS, which since 1986 has served as the hemisphere’s principal forum for dialogue, technical cooperation, and capacity building on drug policy and related security challenges.

The observance also aligns with the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. This offers an opportunity to recognize the importance of diplomacy, multilateralism, and inclusive leadership in confronting the world drug problem, while also acknowledging Angela Crowdy’s leadership at CICAD, which reflects the growing contribution of women in international diplomacy and the value of collaborative leadership in addressing some of the hemisphere’s most pressing drug-related concerns.

The drug problem continues to affect public health, national security, justice systems, families, and economic development throughout the region. Drug trafficking organizations exploit geographic realities, institutional vulnerabilities, and social inequalities, while synthetic drugs and organized criminal groups continue to evolve rapidly. Addressing these interconnected threats requires more than national responses alone; it demands trusted partnerships, technical expertise, and sustained regional cooperation.

Against this backdrop, Jamaica’s partnership with the OAS/CICAD, supported by Jamaica’s Commissioner to CICAD, Michael Tucker, has become increasingly important, strengthening public institutions, evidence-based policymaking, citizen security, and human-centered drug policy approaches. The relationship has been mutually beneficial, with Jamaica contributing regional leadership and expertise while benefiting from technical assistance, training, and policy support.

A key example of this collaboration is Jamaica’s active participation in the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM), CICAD’s peer-review system for evaluating national drug policies. Jamaican experts have played a significant role in the MEM process over the years, including through the timely transmission of information coordinated by the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA). Jamaican representatives have also participated actively in the Intergovernmental Working Group and the Governmental Expert Group (GEG), both central to the technical review and evaluation process. In fact, the professionalism, expertise, and commitment of Jamaican experts to advancing regional cooperation have been evident in all areas for collaboration within OAS/CICAD. These contributions underscore Jamaica’s respected standing within the hemispheric process and its constructive role in strengthening collaboration across the Americas.

In addition to reporting requirements, the MEM strengthens accountability, identifies policy gaps, and improves decision-making grounded in measurable outcomes and shared learning. For Jamaica, participation reinforces national coordination and strengthens the institutional capacity of agencies such as the NCDA. For the hemisphere as a whole, Jamaica’s engagement contributes to a stronger understanding of emerging drug trends and effective policy responses.

Equally important has been Jamaica’s collaboration with CICAD’s Inter-American Observatory on Drugs (OID), particularly in strengthening national early warning systems for synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. The spread of fentanyl and related substances across parts of the Americas represents one of the region’s most serious public health and security concerns. Jamaica’s proactive partnership with the OID has supported the development of an Early Warning System coordinated by the NCDA, helping the country detect, monitor, and respond to emerging drug threats before they escalate into broader crises. This investment in data collection, surveillance, and information-sharing benefits Jamaica and its neighboring Caribbean states. Drug trafficking and synthetic drug markets do not respect borders, and regional early warning systems strengthen collective resilience throughout the Americas.

The OAS/CICAD partnership with Jamaica has also evolved beyond traditional law enforcement approaches by recognizing that sustainable responses to the drug problem must include prevention, treatment, recovery, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. This reflects an important shift in hemispheric drug policy over the past four decades, one that increasingly recognizes the importance of public health and human rights within effective drug strategies.

 CICAD has supported Jamaica in developing justice-led programs that reduce recidivism and expand treatment and reintegration services for individuals with substance use disorders in conflict with the law. CICAD and Jamaican stakeholders have also advanced comprehensive and multidimensional approaches to criminal justice and drug policy development and implementation, promoting more balanced and humane responses, particularly for women and youth.

At the same time, Jamaica has remained firmly committed to strengthening supply reduction and security cooperation. Through CICAD-supported regional training programs, Jamaican law enforcement officials have participated in specialized courses on drug gang investigations, intelligence analysis, maritime narcotrafficking, and aviation drug control. These initiatives strengthen operational capacity while deepening regional cooperation among Caribbean states confronting shared trafficking challenges.

As OAS/CICAD marks its 40th anniversary and the OAS Member States commemorate World Drug Day, the partnership between Jamaica and the OAS serves as a reminder that effective responses to the drug problem are rooted in cooperation, shared responsibility, mutual respect, and a commitment to human dignity. Drug trafficking, organized crime, addiction, and emerging synthetic substances remain evolving threats that no country can address alone.

The OAS/CICAD partnership with Jamaica demonstrates what effective multilateral cooperation can achieve: stronger institutions, better-informed policy, enhanced security, improved public health responses, and greater opportunities for rehabilitation and social reintegration. Four decades after CICAD’s establishment, that spirit of hemispheric collaboration remains as relevant and indispensable as ever.

Jeanelle van GlaanenWeygel is the resident representative of Organization of American States. Office of the GS/OAS in Jamaica