Created in 1946, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council of the
United Nations. It consists of 53 members and meets yearly in Vienna.
The latest regular session, its forty-first, took place on 11-13 March,
1998. On 16-20 March, a Preparatory Session was held for the Twentieth
Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on international
drug control to be held on June 8-10, 1998.
In the last two decades, the global incidence of
drug trafficking and abuse has reached disturbing
proportions. With its attendant social, economic and even
political implications, this phenomenon constitutes a
significant threat to international aspirations for
sustainable development. The CND is attempting to reverse
the trends in this area and ultimately seeks to rid the
world of the drug problem.
Mandate of the CND:
The CND has as its mandate the
supervision of international efforts to control the use
and movement of narcotics and psychotropic substances. It
assists the Economic and Social Council in overseeing the
implementation of international drug control treaties,
monitors changing patterns of global drug use, determines
which drugs should be controlled and how, and recommends
supplemental control treaty provisions or new treaties.
At the same time, it works to ensure that adequate
supplies of drugs remain available for legitimate medical
and scientific purposes.
The CND governs the United
Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), where United
Nations drug policies are integrated into development
planning at the field level. In 1991, the Commission was
assigned to monitor the implementation of the United
Nations Global Programme of Action on drug abuse.
Historical Background:
International efforts in the
area of drug control, like those in the field of crime
prevention and criminal justice, predate the founding of
the United Nations. They originated in the
nineteenth-century opium trade in the Far East. The first
attempt to address the drug problem cooperatively came
with a United States-sponsored international conference
in Shanghai in 1909. An Opium Conference at The Hague in
the Netherlands two years later led to the first
international drug control agreement, the Hague Opium
Convention of 1912 dealing with the shipment of narcotic
drugs. Following the First World War, the Hague Treaty
came under the auspices of the newly-created League of
Nations. In 1920, the League set up an Advisory Committee
on Traffic in Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs. Over the
next sixteen years, three conventions were brought into
force: the 1925 second International Opium Convention;
the 1931 Convention for Limiting the Manufacture and
Regulating the Distribution of Narcotic Drugs; and the
1936 Convention for the Suppression of the Illicit
Traffic in Dangerous Drugs.
Drug control was taken up again
with the establishment of the United Nations at the end
of the Second World War. In 1946, the Commission on
Narcotic Drugs was created as the policy-making body on
international drug issues, taking over the functions of
the League of Nations' Advisory Committee. In a 1948
Protocol, new synthetic compounds were brought under
international control and in 1953 an Opium Protocol
increased the regulation of the opium poppy.
Beginning in 1961 with a
convention that brought together earlier agreements and
simplified the narcotics control system, the
international community, under the guidance of the United
Nations, developed a treaty-based programme that
progressively furthered international cooperation in the
control of production and trafficking of drugs and in the
treatment of drug abuse. These treaties are at the heart
of United Nations efforts in the area of drug control
today.
1961 The Single
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, brought together the old
Drug Supervisory Body and the Permanent Control Board to
create the International Narcotics Control Board. It
retained provisions of earlier treaties that were deemed
effective and appropriate, but extended control to the
cultivation of narcotic plants and singled out 116
narcotic drugs as meriting international control. Opium
smoking or eating, coca-leaf chewing and hashish smoking
came under prohibition. In 1972, the Single Convention
was strengthened and the treatment and rehabilitation of
drug users as an alternative to imprisonment was
proposed.
1971 The Convention on
Psychotropic Substances extended international control to
include hallucinogens like LSD and mescaline, amphetamine
stimulants and barbiturates, all synthetically produced,
not cultivated. The Convention also addressed abuse
identification, treatment and rehabilitation, and the
trafficking of drugs.
1988 The United Nations
Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances takes aim at the problem of
international trafficking and the "precursor"
chemicals that go into drug production. It is hoped that
international agreement will promote cooperation and
coordination between international efforts and national
authorities so that national legislation and enforcement
will assist in depriving drug merchants and traffickers
of the ability to freely move their illicit products and
make it difficult for them to hide and transfer their
profits through financial systems. The conversion periods
for tracing, freezing and confiscation of illegal drug
proceeds, strengthened cooperation in the form of mutual
legal assistance between states in drug-related
investigations, and the extradition of traffickers.
The licit use of drugs for
medical and scientific purposes is not denied by these
treaties. In fact, attention is directed to ensuring that
adequate supplies are maintained for these purposes.
There is concern, though, that vigilance be adopted so
that drugs do not move from legitimate areas and uses to
illegal uses and channels.
In 1981, concerns over increased
global illicit drug abuse and trafficking led the United
Nations to initiate an International Drug Abuse Control
Strategy which "called for organizations and
agencies within the United Nations system to provide
increased support to aid Governments in such activities
as enhancement of capacity for drug law enforcement,
long-range crop substitution and preventive education
programmes." The CND established a task force to
oversee the implementation of the Strategy and report its
findings to ECOSOC and the General Assembly on a yearly
basis. In 1990, the General Assembly adopted a Global
Programme of Action aimed at expanding and intensifying
international efforts in the hope of ridding the world of
the scourge of illicit drugs.
Sustainable Development and Drug
Control:
The relationship between drug
control and sustainable development stems from the
contribution that the drug trade makes to crime, social
disintegration, the lowering of worker productivity,
health problems, the corruption of public servants, the
skewing of economies, and violence within and between
states. In its March 1998 Preparatory Session, the CND
agreed upon a draft political declaration that emphasized
the costs of the global drug problem in its opening
statement:
A changing world means
international drug control efforts must constantly adapt.
Currently there is particular concern about the link
between drug traffickers and organized transnational
crime. Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General,
speaking at the United Nations General Assembly
"Drug Summit" in June 1998, pointed out that
the:
United Nations activities in
the area of drug control attack the problem from a number
of angles, including efforts to reduce the demand for
illicit drugs by assisting countries in developing
programmes for the prevention of drug abuse and the
treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. The UN
provides technical assistance in the area of law
enforcement and the surveillance of borders where drugs
pass, promotes information exchanges and encourages
alternative development strategies "aimed at
breaking the hold that drug traffickers establish on
regions affected by the illicit cultivation of narcotic
plants, particularly the coca bush and the opium
poppy." In a resolution of the June 1998 General
Assembly Special Session on drugs, alternative
development was defined as:
The hope is that people who
have turned to drug cultivation as a means of survival
can be provided with alternative, legitimate and
sustainable options that will aid in lifting them out of
poverty.
The CND in 1998:
At its latest regular meeting, in
March of 1998, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
considered a variety of issues related to drug control,
placing special emphasis on the equal importance of
supply and demand reduction. A Draft Resolution called on
Member States to ensure that, in keeping with the
provisions of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic
Drugs, efforts were made to maintain a balance of supply
and demand of narcotic drugs so that medical and
scientific needs are met, but the production of opiates
does not outstrip these needs and find its way into
illicit channels. In a review of "Policy Issues for
Action by the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme," it was noted that in 1997 activities
"promoting action and cooperation at the national,
regional and subregional levels" had led to
"demonstrable success in a number of significant
areas." In the area of treaty implementation, it was
urged that all Member States "become parties to the
conventions and ...implement their provisions
fully." The 1988 Convention was seen as especially
important.
On the topic of demand reduction,
the need for continued efforts to address drug abuse was
affirmed. Education and heightened awareness amongst
society's youth was encouraged. It was also suggested
that there be attention focused on public information
sources where pro-drug messages might appear. In keeping
with the provisions of the 1988 Convention, it was
advocated that Governments work to ensure that their
national legislation made public incitement to drug abuse
a criminal offence.
The Commission "welcomed the
initiatives of the Executive Director [of UNDCP] designed
to improve the capacity of UNDCP to deliver a balanced
portfolio of technical assistance projects in the field
of drug control." Discussing subregional
cooperation, the Commission indicated that "UNDCP
should continue to play its catalytic role in promoting
regional cooperation...Several successful joint
drug-control programmes were being undertaken within the
framework of regional agreements or plans of
action." UNDCP's work in Afghanistan and Africa was
recognized. In Africa, UNDCP is attempting to help
regional governments develop drug control strategies,
especially in the area of demand reduction. In
Afghanistan, a "bold initiative" has been
undertaken by the Programme to eradicate the opium poppy
and drug trafficking.
Continued assistance to national
law enforcement was urged, including efforts to help
states combat money-laundering. Support was also affirmed
for the global plan of action that aimed to
"eliminate the illicit cultivation of the opium
poppy and the coca bush within the next ten years."
An up-dated System-wide action plan was approved that
aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration and
coordination at the field level.
The Agenda for the Forty-Second
Session (1999) includes:
At its special Preparatory
Session on 16-20 March, the CND was acting as a
preparatory body for the United Nations Special Session
of the General Assembly on international drug control to
be held in June 1998. On 21 March, a Political
Declaration was agreed upon that called for a global
strategy for the reduction of both the supply and demand
for illicit drugs, with target dates being set for Member
State Actions in certain areas. This Political
Declaration was to be considered and adopted by the
General Assembly Special Assembly.
The United Nations Commission
on Narcotic Drugs:
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 500
A-1400 Vienna
Austria
Tel: +43-1-26060 0
Fax: +43-1-26060 5885
Telex: 135612 UNO A
Cables: unations vienna
The INCB was created when the 1961
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs unified the Permanent
Central Board and the Drug Supervisory Body. It is an
independent body made up of experts in the field that
provides support to the CND and has a direct connection
to UNDCP, from which it receives secretariat services.
The Board works with other international bodies involved
with drug control and assists national Member State
governments in carrying out control treaty obligations.
It watches over the movement of drugs worldwide and looks
for problem areas where licit drugs are finding their way
into illicit channels. Yearly reports are submitted to
ECOSOC and the CND and if international control treaty
violations are encountered, the INCB may attempt to
rectify this or even suggest to ECOSOC and the CND that
sanctions be employed. The Board submits annual reports
to ECOSOC through the CND. In its 1997 report, considered
by the CND at its March 1998 session, it emphasized the
need to focus on drug abuse prevention (the demand
component) as well as on the reduction of the supply of
illicit drugs.
International Narcotics Control Board
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 500
A-1400 Vienna
Austria
Tel: +43-1-26060 0
Fax: +43-1-26060 5867
Telex: 135612 UNO A
Cables: unations vienna
E-mail: incb@undcp.org
Governed by the CND, UNDCP was
established in 1991 to be "the focal point of the
United Nations Decade Against Drug Abuse
(1991-2000)," and was a response to the growth of
opiate addiction in South East Asia. UNDCP integrated and
took over from the Division of Narcotic Drugs (DND), the
Fund for Drug Abuse Control (UNFDAC) and the INCB
Secretariat to assume the leading role in United Nations
drug control activities. It works mostly with developing
countries through a network of offices, co-ordinating
with other bodies within the United Nations system. The
Programme's goals are reflected in its mission statement:
"The mission of UNDCP is to work
with the nations and the people of the world to tackle
the global drug problem and its consequences by:
Pino Arlacchi is the present
Executive Director of UNDCP.
United Nations International Drug Control Programme
Vienna International Centre
PO Box 500
A-1400 Vienna
Austria
Tel: +43-1-26060
Fax: +43-1-26060 5866
Telex: 135612 UNO A
Cables: unations vienna
E-mail: undcp hq@undcp. org
These bodies were established
to further cooperation in drug law enforcement at the
regional level. They identify pressing enforcement issues
in their region, set up working groups to discuss them,
and report and make recommendations to the Commission on
Narcotic Drugs.
Canada is currently a member of
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. A list of the
membership of the Commission is available from the
Secretariat of the CND.
Links:
The UNDCP internet site can be reached
through the United Nations Economic and Social home page
under 'Narcotics.' It is a thorough and accessible site
that will provide links to a detailed description of the
CND functions and mandate (@ www.undcp.org./cnd.html),
the text of recent speeches given on drug and crime
issues, and a comprehensive understanding of the role and
activities of UNDCP(www.undcp.org).
For some interesting information on Pino Arlacchi,
Executive Director of the Programme, and his bold plans
for drug control, see a Time Magazine article of June 15,
1998 at: www.cgi.pathfinder.com/time/magazine/1998/
dom/980615/world_man_with_a_grand.htm
Information on the WHO (World Health Organization) and
its interest in ensuring the availability of controlled
drugs for medical purposes, the reduction of drug abuse
and related problems can be found on www.who.ch/SFgate/cgi-bin/SFgate
(a search on this site under 'drug abuse' will give
related links.
Information on the General Assembly Special Session of
June 1998 on international drug control, the "Drug
Summit," can be found @ www.un.org/ga/20special/.
This gives coverage of the special session and the
concerns and responses that surrounded it, as well as
providing a good sense of the current situation and what
the United Nations hopes to accomplish through
international cooperation in drug control efforts.
Archives:
The UNDCP World Drug Reports provide an excellent
analysis of the global drug problem and the United
Nations response to it.
