The World Bank will today unveil a report calling for an international response to drug-related crime and violence in the Caribbean which the Washington-based institution says are endangering regional development.

According to the report, high rates of crime and violence, in addition to threatening people, hamper social development and undermine economic growth.

Government activity

Produced in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the report blames drug trafficking for diverting resources from other important areas of government activity.

It also makes the observation that the illegal trade increases and embeds violence in society as well as spreading the availability of guns in the Caribbean.