While the general trend in Latin America is towards the relaxation of drug policy, Ecuador appears to be going the other way. In mid-June President Rafael Correa appointed César Navas, the coordinating minister for security, as head of Ecuador’s drug prevention committee (Comité de Prevención de Drogas; CPD), a newly created entity responsible for formulating, coordinating and articulating public policy related to countering the problem of drug use. The designation of Navas is part of the construction of an entirely new institutional framework for combating drugs in Ecuador. While there is a clear focus on treatment for addicts, an overarching new drug strategy delineated by the Correa administration also establishes tougher penalties for possession of small quantities of heroin, cocaine and marijuana in an effort to crack down on micro-trafficking.End of preview - This article contains approximately 532 words.
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