41 DFID's focus on poverty reduction in developing countries will contribute to the UK's wider strategy of defence against drugs. Tackling poverty is key to delivering sustainable, long-term solutions to drugs production and consumption.
42 It will be important to maintain the close co-ordination between DFID, the Drugs and International Crime Department, FCO, the Home Office and the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordination Unit about their respective activities, particularly in relation to law enforcement where there is most scope for overlap. DFID will continue to take part in Whitehall co-ordination mechanisms: it has been represented on the International Co-ordinating Committee since its inception and should continue to play a constructive part. DFID will also work with other government departments to develop a set of indicators (see paragraph 40 above) to measure progress with international drugs control: DFID's primary interest will be in measuring the anti-poverty effect of drugs control activities.
Footnote
1 Drugs are specifically addressed in paras 3.68 - 3.71 of the White Paper (page 76)2 The term 'alternative development' is used in this paper because it is used and readily understood by partners, including governments and multilateral institutions, engaged in anti-drugs activities. The precise definition of the term is, however, subject to continuous assessment as attempts to implement successful alternative development projects continue. A working definition might be: The creation of an economic and social environment in which rural families can attain an acceptable living standard without the need for drug crop cultivation. The methodology is based on an integration of crop substitution, rural development, strengthening of democratic institutions and law enforcement with respect for human rights.
