TIER 1: IMMEDIATE SIGNIFICANT THREATS TIER 3: SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL RISKS TIER 2: SUBSTANTIAL THREATS TIER 4: FUTURE RISKS XIV. Despite numerous initiatives and mechanisms aimed at addressing the problems of armed violence, high levels of gun crimes persist in the Region. The key to the solution is a marked reduction in the availability of illegal guns and ammunitions. It is essential to disrupt and prevent access to illegal guns and ammunition, partly because they are responsible for more than 70% of homicides in CARICOM, and partly because illegal guns play a key role in facilitating the trafficking of other commodities, and used as a tool to support criminal and deviant behaviour and sexual and non-sexual violence. XV. The Region can only achieve meaningful results in this area by working with key strategic partners; in particular the states where guns are sourced - (most of them come from the United States of America). While the Region respects the rights of other states to establish liberal policies regarding access to guns, the negative impacts of these gun policies are not confined to their borders. They have very serious consequences for other countries, including the Caribbean nations, Mexico and the Central American states. Preventing the illicit trafficking in guns is therefore a responsibility to be shared not only among CARICOM states but also the countries that are the sources of these weapons. XVI. CARICOM Member States cannot ignore the international progressive shift on drug policy. A number of countries are now questioning the wisdom of attempting to deal with drug problems primarily by prohibition, and are calling for a new focus on actions to reduce the harm caused to the victims of drug related crimes; drug users and others. It is therefore an opportune time for a fundamental review of all CARICOM drug policies within the international context. The Region’s position must be informed by a comprehensive understanding of the changing global situation, which makes it essential to consider possible alternative policies. The principal aim of the Region’s drug policy should be first and foremost to minimise the damage caused to the victims of drug-related crimes; drug users and others. 6