ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the securitisation of cocaine trafficking from a European Union (EU) perspective, and will contrast it with the American perspective. It also examines the impact of cocaine trafficking on the national economies of EU member states. The impact is both direct and indirect from the activities of criminal organisations. It examines the issues associated with the limitation of state sovereignty affected by the international regulations on drug prohibition. A further economic impact of cocaine trafficking on EU member states is the cost of drug control and rehabilitation policies. The drug control efforts of the EU member states were not considered to be sufficient by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB). The European Community has perceived the threat posed by the cocaine trade in health, crime, and moral issues. Considering the impact of cocaine trafficking to the EU member states, it is regarded as a societal security threat rather than a national security threat.
