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Second, Canada could play a leadership role in promoting evidence-based social policy. Violence in many parts of the region is staggeringly high and the illegal drug trade is a main cause. In Mexico, for example, drug cartels have been responsible for more than 80,000 homicides since 2006. Aside from the human toll, the illicit drug trade has also resulted in widespread corruption and environmental degradation.

Several eminent hemispheric statesmen — led by former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso and including ex-presidents of Chile, Colombia and Mexico — have made a forceful case for rethinking the strategy of criminalizing drugs. Armed with studies that support their view and the Report on the Drug Problem in the Americas published by the Organization of American States in 2013, they advocate seriously exploring alternative solutions that reduce the harm caused by drugs. They believe that coordinated international action is required — coupled with redoubled efforts to strenthen government and social institutions — to help solve this problem.

Hemispheric leaders aren’t ready to decriminalize or legalize all drugs for personal use, as Cardoso and his colleagues advocate. But more are ready to consider the kind of evidence-based concepts that underlie Trudeau’s position on the legalization of marijuana. He now has the opportunity to take a leadership role on this issue and advance the dialogue on this issue that could have a positive impact on people throughout the Americas.

Latin American leaders are also concerned with the rhetoric coming out of the U.S. election campaign and many are worried that the next president could undo many of the positive foreign policy measures that Obama has taken in the region. Were Trudeau to extend his hand now, it would go a long way toward laying the foundation for his hemispheric leadership and allow him to project his vision on the international stage.

National Post

Kenneth Frankel is president of the Canadian Council for the Americas.