"From a global and respectful view of the local realm, COPOLAD promotes exchanges, disseminates lessons learned, generates complementary visions from the field, manages knowledge and systematizes experiences"

• Being back to the Direction of DEVIDA at a time when drug policies are being reviewed, which role can Peru play in this changing international environment?

Peru is facing the problem based on global scientific evidence, without losing sight locally in a country that is producer, exporter and consumer of psychoactive substances and still faces poverty challenges and glimpses of terrorism.

DEVIDA, as governing body, drafted the "National Strategy to Fight against Drugs (2017-2021)” in a participatory manner, collecting the views of the sectors represented at its Board of Directors. Later on, it was approved by this Board and by the Peruvian Council of Ministers. The Strategy has a people-centred approach, focussing on the change that they generate in their community, seeking healthy, equitable and peaceful life scenarios. It considers the drug problem a matter of individual and social health and safety, respecting the human rights in all their dimensions in its approach, including cultural diversity. It has clear indicators and targets. Promotes coordination between sectors and involves civil society, including private companies, and includes generating alliances with producers who choose to produce legal and sustainable crops with gender mainstreaming throughout the whole chain (production, trafficking, substance abuse).

• Generally, in most countries achieving balanced and comprehensive policies remains more as an aspiration than a reality, in terms of resources invested in the various areas of drug policy. How can the European cooperation support the implementation of more balanced policies between drugs supply and drug demand reduction?

The European Union is already demonstrating in Peru, a concern that leads to specific support towards a greater "balance" between supply reduction and demand reduction. However, this "harmony" could be greater. In light of available evidence, as well as according to our experience, reducing demand, should, increasingly, be related to occupational opportunities and overall development, especially aimed at adolescents and youth.

To "rethink" that balance, I think, is an important exercise in these times. How, for instance, can components of Comprehensive and Sustainable Alternative Development and Prevention and Rehabilitation, walk together within a shared programme? or how a set of supply-control actions, aimed at security, may include a programme for highly vulnerable youth reducing their risks, not only of using substances, but also of getting involved in the chain of small-scale selling and traffic? That means, walking towards new paradigms that break the work "in isolation" and with a vies that always have to be focused on the process.

• To effectively adopt this balanced-approach, what are the key aspects of the recently adopted National Strategy to Combat Drugs (2017-2021) in Peru?

The strategy is based on lessons learned. It includes the following components: Integrated and sustainable Alternative Development; Interdiction and punishment; Prevention and Rehabilitation; and Global Commitment

Based on experience, it concludes that the eradication of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine-based drugs, is not enough without fairness with a comprehensive and sustainable development that will reduce re-planting  coca leaf, not to focus primarily on "the achievements of eradication" but in the new approach aimed at "reducing coca space", as a result of the presence of the state and its sectors (Health, Justice, Education, Transport, Women, Social programs etc.) and the implementation of alternative programmes respectful with the environment and in liaison with local and global markets. The new Strategy also promotes a "regional approach", especially with border countries, raising actions to reinforce this aspect.

• You have just mentioned the Integrated and sustainable Alternative Development. What does it mean a comprehensive prevention approach in Sustainable Alternative Development for Peru?

Comprehensive Prevention in Sustainable Alternative Development is understood as a set of policies, programs and actions that promote change and the improvement in the quality of life of the most vulnerable populations in relation to drug trafficking.

This development should not develop alone or necessarily as "crop substitution" although this is a very important component. It is essential to promote the presence of the state and all its sectors as well as to work on security, which is the first requirement for companies (private investment), to generate wealth and employability in areas that are being transformed from coca fields (which is sold to drug trafficking in a 95% of the times) to economies developing within the legal framework.

Alternative Development must be understood as a tool that focuses on personal change (from illegality to legality) and is producing an ethical, communitarian transformation.

• Talking about Alternative Development, which is a key aspect for Peru, must be mentioned that DEVIDA is actively involved in COPOLAD’s activities in this field. How do you value this collaboration and which are the pathways in which COPOLAD can add value in alternative development activities?

The synergy between COPOLAD and DEVIDA and other institutions is extremely important and accelerates and enriches the process of change. From a global and respectful view of the local realm, COPOLAD promotes exchanges, disseminates lessons learned, generates complementary visions from the field, manages knowledge and systematizes experiences. It further adds multiple interactions between realities seeking similar achievements that are not "experienced in isolation" but from a shared vision.

COPOLAD is a useful and serious tool that adds to the efforts of countries like Peru and others. It is an initiative that responds perfectly to the Peruvian National Strategy to Fight against Drugs (2017-2021), from the global and shared responsibility approach. It also constantly provides information on the opportunities emerging in Europe and in Latin America and the Caribbean regarding training, technical assistance, exchanges, trends, discoveries and others.

• You mention the importance of the information exchange. As in many countries, money laundering is one of the major challenges faced by the Peruvian government in recent years. To what extent do you believe that opportunities for dialogue opened by COPOLAD can help strengthen control policies in your country?

The component of "Money Laundering" was the only one that did not reflect an accomplishment of goals in the past Peruvian Strategy (2012-2016). Therefore, in the new strategy (2017-2021) Peru puts special emphasis on this component with specialized entities.

Having spaces for dialogue, open by COPOLAD, can help to make better tools and policies in this component. This includes "networking" and the exchange of successful experiences that can promote COPOLAD through "its dialogues" and with the support of technology. In these "open spaces", the articulation of officials from different bodies that must cooperate is promoted. The COPOLAD approach manages to produce is vital to progress in investigations against "Money Laundering". This cooperative approach that COPOLAD is successfully achieving, is vital to face "Money Laundering" effectively.