30 July 2009
The Economic and Social Council this morning, in the context of its agenda item on social and human rights questions, considered issues relating to social development; crime prevention and criminal justice; narcotic drugs; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; human rights; and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board, said multilateral drug control should be acknowledged as one of the twentieth century's greatest achievements. Over 95 per cent of United Nations Member States, covering 99 per cent of the world's population, had agreed to be bound by the provisions of the conventions. The licit control system had managed to absorb the significant increase of the number of substances controlled under the conventions and the continuously rising licit demand for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Despite the ever-increasing scope of the international drug control system, diversions of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances from the licit to the illicit market were virtually nonexistent. However, to claim that challenges did not exist would be to negate reality.
Reports
Sevil Atasoy, President of the International Narcotics Control Board, said over the past twelve months, the Board was engaged in various activities. The annual report of the Board for 2008 was officially launched in some 21 countries in February 2009. The Board also published a special report on the follow-up to the Special Session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem. Multilateral drug control should be acknowledged as one of the twentieth century's greatest achievements - over 95 per cent of United Nations Member States, covering 99 per cent of the world's population, had agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Conventions. The licit control system had managed to absorb the significant increase of the number of substances controlled under the conventions and the continuously rising licit demand for narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Despite the ever-increasing scope of the international drug control system, diversions of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances from the licit to the illicit market were virtually nonexistent. However, to claim that challenges did not exist would be to negate reality. This was an important issue of public health, one that deserved special mention.
The second chapter of the report dealt with the normative aspects of the Board's work, with an emphasis on the operation of the international drug control system, as well as any challenges and possible remedial actions. In recent years, there had been a marked increase in the smuggling of cocaine consignments from South America through West Africa into Europe. The international community should provide Governments of countries in West Africa with all the assistance necessary to address the problem. Another development of concern was the continued illegal sale of internationally controlled and uncontrolled substances over the Internet. Since 2004, the Board had drawn the attention of Governments to the problem of trafficking in and abuse of ketamine, which was not currently under international control. The third chapter of the report examined the implementation of the drug control treaties at the national and international level. The Board also encouraged Governments to devote more resources for the treatment of drug addicts, which should be both in line with sound medical practice and the international drug control conventions. The international drug control system had stood the test of time with credit, but it was not perfect. It was undoubtedly capable of improvement, for that reason, there were procedures for its modification.
For use of the information media; not an official record
ECOSOC09037E
