VOA标准英语2017--Unified Effort Needed Against Synthetic Drugs

 

Illicitly² used Synthetic³ drugs are chemically produced psychoactive substances that mimic⁴ the effects of illegal narcotics⁵, which have been altered just enough to avoid classification as illegal. And this is one reason why these chemicals are dangerous. Since the formula for any given drug is constantly changing to stay one step ahead of the law, it is challenging to predict the effects the new chemical will have on the user's body.

Indeed, synthetic drugs are among of the most destructive substances on the illicit¹ market – especially synthetic opioids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2015, over 33,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. involved prescription⁶ or illicit opioids – an increase of nearly 60% over the last 5 years, and nearly 60 percent of those deaths involved heroin⁷ or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Despite this, there is every indication that the manufacture and availability of these substances are increasing.

“Transnational criminal organizations dealing⁸ with illicit drugs are relying increasingly on synthetic products to harm our societies. They operate complex supply and distribution networks that cross multiple international boundaries,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Luis Arreaga at the Bangkok Three Conference in late February.

“The U[nited] N[ations] reports that more than 700 new psychoactive substances have emerged over the last five years, and what we know about these substances is disconcerting and challenging because the international architecture set up to treat drug abuse and control the spread of those substances has not kept pace. We must adapt and use all the tools at our disposal.”

Together, the international community must take four measures, said Mr. Arreaga. First, we must reduce the number of first time users, particularly the young, through education, prevention, and treatment.

Second, we must share information on new substances across borders, to prepare for emerging trends.

Third, we must develop flexible domestic systems that can handle the influx⁹ of new drugs.

And finally, we must continue to use the international illicit drug control treaties to defend against the most prevalent and dangerous substances.

“Psychoactive substances require urgent attention from the international community,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Arreaga.“Decades of our mutual¹⁰ experience battling the drug problem have shown that voluntary international cooperation is vitally important.”

1 illicit   

adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的

参考例句：

• He had an illicit association with Jane.他和简曾有过不正当关系。
• Seizures of illicit drugs have increased by 30% this year.今年违禁药品的扣押增长了30%。

2 illicitly   

违法地，不正地

参考例句：

• That substance illicitly to fool quality-inspection testers because it can mimic the properties of protein. 乳制品之所以添加三聚氰胺是因为它可以虚增蛋白质含量、在质量测试中蒙混过关。
• Western governments international bodies should police Gaza's borders and crossing-points to stop weapons illicitly coming in. 西方政府和国际组织应该巡查加沙边界和交叉区域，阻止武器的非法流入。

3 synthetic   

adj.合成的，人工的；综合的；n.人工制品

参考例句：

• We felt the salesman's synthetic friendliness.我们感觉到那位销售员的虚情假意。
• It's a synthetic diamond.这是人造钻石。

4 mimic   

v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人

参考例句：

• A parrot can mimic a person's voice.鹦鹉能学人的声音。
• He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another.他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。

5 narcotics   

n.麻醉药( narcotic的名词复数 )；毒品；毒

参考例句：

• The use of narcotics by teenagers is a problem in many countries. 青少年服用麻醉药在许多国家中都是一个问题。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Police shook down the club, looking for narcotics. 警方彻底搜查了这个俱乐部，寻找麻醉品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 prescription   

n.处方，开药；指示，规定

参考例句：

• The physician made a prescription against sea- sickness for him.医生给他开了个治晕船的药方。
• The drug is available on prescription only.这种药只能凭处方购买。

7 heroin   

n.海洛因

参考例句：

• Customs have made their biggest ever seizure of heroin.海关查获了有史以来最大的一批海洛因。
• Heroin has been smuggled out by sea.海洛因已从海上偷运出境。

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

9 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

10 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。