Abstract

Essential to medicine and scientific research, narcotics are also linked to trafficking, illegal production, smuggling, and abuse. Through landmark cases from around the world, this book explores the history and evolution of international drug control, examining why narcotics became regulated and why they remain a major social issue. A timely guide to understanding drugs, addiction, and modern society.

Author’s Information

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, in 1951, he is Chair of the Drug Abuse Prevention Center (DAPC). After studying at the graduate schools of International Christian University (ICU) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he joined the United Nations in 1980. During a nearly 30-year career with the UN, he worked on international drug control, serving as Deputy Secretary of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for East Asia and the Pacific. He is currently active in organizations dedicated to drug abuse prevention, international cooperation, and environmental conservation.