Preventing the diversion of Turkish opium

Turkey was once one of the world’s largest sources of illicit opium; the majority
diverted from sparsely regulated licit production. Since 1972, however, it has
contributed almost no opium to the global black market. As such, Turkey is one of a
small number of states to have eradicated, or severally reduced, the national supply of
illicit opium. This article reconsiders post-1974 Turkish controls from a situational
crime prevention perspective. It is suggested that Turkish success was founded upon
reducing opportunities for diversion from regulated production by hardening targets,
increasing formal and informal surveillance, assisting compliance through fair
procurement practices and increasing the risk of non-compliance.