ABSTRACT
This chapter first discusses drug problems and counter-strategies. Subsequently, it describes the US role in international drug control and the drug policy debate. It shows that researchers have answered many important questions, but that the displacement of the drug industry merits further discussion. The chapter then argues that scholars of IR have not paid enough attention to the illicit political economy, the effects of foreign policies, and contingency and complexity. Following this, a causal mechanism is developed that helps to explain the displacement of the illicit cocaine and heroin industry. The chapter ends with a discussion of methodology.
