COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, VIENNA, 16 - 25 APRIL

Press Release
SOC/NAR/740

COMMISSION ON NARCOTIC DRUGS, VIENNA, 16 - 25 APRIL

(Reproduced as received from UN Information Service.)

VIENNA, 25 April -- Expressing "deep concern" at the economic and social consequences of a rapid upsurge in the trafficking and use of amphetamine-type stimulants throughout the world, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs ended a two-week session here this afternoon by calling for new and tighter controls on chemicals used in the manufacture of such synthetic drugs.

In a draft resolution approved for submission to the Economic and Social Council later this year, the Commission is seeking government regulation and close monitoring of the import and export of "precursors" used in the production of a number of stimulants, including the so-called "designer drugs" such as "ecstasy". In discussions leading up to that action, delegation after delegation had expressed alarm at the dimension of the phenomenon, whereby amphetamine-type drugs were surpassing traditional, plant-based narcotics in a growing number of countries, while operators of clandestine laboratories were able to obtain ample quantities of the ingredient chemicals from suppliers or intermediaries.

Seven further texts were approved this afternoon, dealing with such issues as regional exchanges of ideas in the realm of drug-demand reduction, coordination among various United Nations programmes that incorporate aspects of drug control, ensuring supplies of opiates for medical and scientific purposes, the possibility of financing United Nations drug control efforts through contributions from States of a portion of confiscated proceeds of drug crime, stricter control of pharmaceutical psychotropic drugs, preventive measures aimed at urban youth, and incorporation of four Central Asian countries into one of the Commission's subsidiary bodies.

In action sponsored by Belgium, the Commission recommended that the Council urge States to establish effective control over psychotropic substances, including pharmaceutical products that were likely to be abused. The Council would call for measures to prevent shipments of such substances in excess of the annual domestic requirements reported to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and ask States to exercise utmost vigilance

over orders for psychotropic substances from countries considered to have deficient control regimes.

By the text on financing possibilities, the Commission welcomed the initiative of the Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) to increase core funds by about $15 million annually by widening the donor base and having such contributions constitute a higher proportion of the total funds available. It invited States to consider contributing a portion of the value of confiscated drug-related proceeds to the UNDCP Fund.

Earlier today, the Commission moved to strengthen the INCB by recommending that the Council call on States to harmonize their methods of collecting and analysing data on drug abuse and trafficking patterns. The Council would also encourage the Board to intensify its programme of visits to selected countries to monitor adherence to the drug control treaties and to gain direct awareness of those countries' drug control policies and programmes.

Also during the session, the Commission acted on eight other proposals. Those concerned the convening of a special session of the General Assembly in 1998 to address drug control concerns, the need to standardize "drug profiling/signature analysis" as a law enforcement technique, a proposal to organize forums on drug-demand reduction, drug-control cooperation in West and Central Asia, consideration of national drug control plans, a call for the elimination of anonymous bank accounts, improved United Nations system-wide coordination on drug matters, ways of ensuring timely supply of controlled drugs in emergencies, ideas for inclusion in a draft declaration on guiding principles for demand reduction and steps needed to further collaboration between the UNDCP and the International Olympic Committee in their global programme on "Sport against drugs".

Regarding the special Assembly session, the draft approved by the Commission would have the Council recommend the convening of such a session to propose new strategies, methods, practical activities and specific measures to strengthen international cooperation against the drug problem. The session would aim at promoting adherence to the international drug control treaties and adopting measures to increase cooperation in law enforcement, reduce illicit demand for drugs and sanction money laundering, and fight drug-related organized crime and illicit arms trade.

Also during the session, the Commission Chairman, Helmut Butke (Germany), formulated suggestions for consideration at the high-level segment of the forthcoming session of the Economic and Social Council, which will take place in New York from 24 June to 26 July.

The Commission's next session will take place in March 1997.

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High-Level Segment of Economic and Social Council

The Chairman, HELMUT BUTKE (Germany), announced that the bureau of the Council had met twice in New York and had agreed on the structure it wished to give to the three-day high-level segment. On the first day, there would be general discussion. On the second day, there would be free-flowing debate on: the threat posed to the world economy by international drug trafficking; the impact of drug abuse on societies; and strengthening the role of the United Nations in drug control. The third day would comprise a dialogue with the executive heads of the international financial institutions, trade organizations and specialized agencies of the United Nations system.

The Commission had agreed that the Chairman should submit certain elements for consideration at the Council's high-level segment. Those would focus on the economic, social and global dimensions of drug control issues. The economic dimension required the expansion of information on that dimension of the drug problem, not only of illicit drug production and trafficking, but also of drug abuse. The drug trade continued to destabilize economies in some countries and impeded the development of democratic institutions. The impact of money laundering required the development of new mechanisms to facilitate action against it. Alternative development projects were needed to promote economic activities.

The social dimension required a balanced approach involving both demand and supply reduction. The importance of a clear position against legalization should be expressed in national drug policies. Education, primarily of young people, was of particular importance as a means of prevention for drug abuse.

The global dimension included the integration, when appropriate, of the drug control issues into the work programmes of all United Nations agencies. The mandate of the UNDCP showed an imbalance between its mandated activities and the resources available to implement them. A critical mass of resources, including contributions for general purposes, marked by a degree of certainty and duration, was required by the UNDCP if it were to continue to undertake the essential part of its mandate.

Overview of Discussions

The Chairman of the Commission set the theme for the discussions when he declared that no country could solve the drug problem as long as the laundering of drug proceeds was possible in another country, drug cartels were allowed to purchase chemicals for illicit drug production with no risk of detection or punishment, the sale of drugs was legal, and drug dealers could find loopholes in the law against prosecution and punishment. There were further warnings from participants against the powerful, sophisticated and adaptable international drug trade. The global community, they said, confronted large and still growing threats from transnational crime, including

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drug trafficking, money laundering and related corruption. The transnational nature of criminal and trafficking organizations threatened collective international security inasmuch as such organizations took full advantage of new technologies, ignoring national sovereignty and borders.

Speakers said that in defining an effective strategy to fight drugs, it was fundamental to adopt a multidisciplinary approach that did not distinguish between countries where drugs were produced, transmitted or consumed, and to collaborate and coordinate initiatives. No single country could struggle against the drug problem because the distinctions between producer, consumer and transit countries were blurred, as were the distinctions between soft and hard drugs. An international approach and commitment in the struggle against the drug trade was essential. A summary of the discussion of specific issues follows.

Implementation of Global Programme of Action, Drug Conventions: In examining government action to implement the Global Programme of Action -- said to constitute the strategy of the international community to deal with one of the most serious problems facing the world at the end of this millennium -- participants underscored the urgent need for all States to ratify and implement the international drug Conventions. While there was an excellent basis for successfully combating drugs by implementing those instruments, that strategy had not been carried out consistently and much remained to be done by individual nations. At the same time, some members stressed that the international community must adhere to existing Conventions before adopting more stringent measures. Participants also considered that States which legalized drugs could not implement their obligations under the Conventions and weakened the efforts of others.

Money Laundering: Removing the profit motive through strong anti-money- laundering and confiscation laws was one of the most effective ways of dealing with drug trafficking, many speakers agreed. There was also consensus on the need to establish an international framework that would coordinate cooperation among countries in tracing, freezing and confiscating drug trafficking proceeds. Given the complex and multidisciplinary nature of anti-money- laundering activities, an international response, such as a legal instrument, was all the more essential. Denying traffickers safe havens for money laundering was a major topic, and culminated in a resolution that called upon States to prohibit numbered, anonymous accounts in financial institutions; and to require those institutions to determine the true identities of their clients and maintain records of all transactions to assist in possible future investigations. Participants described national measures against money laundering, including new codes and dedicating funds from confiscated drug proceeds to programmes for drug prevention and rehabilitation. It was also proposed that the Commission should examine the feasibility of a convention that provided States with globally effective laws and mechanisms against money laundering. It was pointed out, however, that despite the various efforts

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under way, that as long as there were people willing to pay any price for drugs, and as long as the laws did not stop them, the phenomenon would continue.

Illicit Drug Traffic and Supply: Despite positive developments in national, regional and international efforts to control illicit drug traffic and supply, there was little cause for satisfaction, speakers agreed, and all stressed the importance of international cooperation, without which there was little chance for success in the war against illegal drug production, trafficking and abuse. The liberalization of the world economy, increased urbanization, the emergence of new countries and civil conflicts had contributed to new patterns of trafficking. Trafficking had become more intense, with drug cartels adapting their strategies and reacting rapidly to actions taken by the international community. Participants from producing countries described their struggle against the illicit production and distribution of drugs, but emphasized that no isolated effort could be successful without global cooperation. The importance of international cooperation among law enforcement agencies was emphasized. Many speakers stated their belief that confiscated assets of drug traffickers should be used to support the fight against drug abuse.

Stimulants and Precursors: There was wide agreement that amphetamine- type stimulants were a global problem and illicit markets were burgeoning, and that international control systems needed to be reassessed. The rise in the consumption of chemical drugs illustrated the need for a stronger response against the manufacture and abuse of such drugs within countries. One of the most important strategies for dealing with amphetamines, speakers said, was precursor control. As to measures to prevent the diversion of precursor chemicals, there were calls for improved systems of cooperation between governments to facilitate the exchange of information. Others urged the Commission to establish an effective monitoring mechanism for the trade of precursors similar to that applied to narcotic substances.

Demand-Reduction Programmes: Drug problems could not be solved simply by limiting production and trafficking, speakers declared, adding that demand must also be reduced. There must be a balanced approach between demand and supply reduction and between various demand-reduction activities. Participants reported on the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention programmes under way in their countries to prevent drug abuse and on measures to reduce demand. There was a consensus that it was time for a declaration on demand reduction to be adopted, and that a working group should be established to draft those guiding principles and to also address the problem regarding definition of terms and a glossary in the discussion about primary and secondary prevention. However, it was mentioned that gaining consensus on the content of a declaration on reduction demand would not be easy because of the different views on treatment and rehabilitation.

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Legalization of Drugs: There was almost unanimous opposition to the legalization of drugs, with participants pointing out that States which had legalized the non-medical use of drugs had experienced an expansion in drug abuse. Experiments in a few countries involving the controlled distribution of heroin to addicts were called into question. The majority spoke out against the decriminalization of drugs, believing that doing so would mean giving in to drug trafficking and would elevate the consumption of illicit drugs to the same level as legal drugs. If drugs were legalized, the success of current prevention policies would deteriorate drastically. Some participants drew attention to the contradictory policies of the international community regarding drugs, and stressed that a common strategy was indispensable. It was stated emphatically that the legalization of the non-medical use of drugs was not compatible with the international drug Conventions and would make it impossible to solve the drug problem. One proposal called for the UNDCP to undertake a study on the implications of decriminalization and harm reduction campaigns in countries in which those policies had been adopted. However, others objected, inasmuch as such use was prohibited under the Conventions.

Transit States: Several speakers drew attention to their countries' geographical locations in the centre of production areas and consumption markets, or as the shortest routes to those markets. Others said it was difficult to control illicit trafficking across their countries in part because demand reduction efforts in the consuming countries were not sufficient or effective enough. Elsewhere, the emergence of new States and the opening of frontiers had produced a high traffic increase in people, transport means and goods, including illegal trafficking in drugs.

Alternative Development: Under this topic, producing countries described various national approaches to control illicit drug cultivation, among them, agreements with farmers to voluntarily eradicate illegal crops in return for financial compensation and assistance in the development of alternative crops. It was stated that the lack of assured markets for legal crops pushed some segments of the farming population to grow illegal drugs, and that the root cause of expansion of such crops was rural poverty and also because legal crops generated meagre profits. Speakers emphasized the importance of alternative development programmes aimed at eliminating the economic and social causes of illegal cultivation, but declared that such programmes could only succeed if demand reduction activities were carried out simultaneously. It was stressed that farmers needed assistance to achieve economic independence, otherwise they would return to cultivating their former drug crops. Producing countries warned that the thousands of hectares eradicated of illicit cultivation in one country were being planted elsewhere, referred to as the "balloon effect".

Some delegates argued that alternative development served to facilitate a transition from illicit to licit cultivation within targeted areas, and that

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the prerequisites for success were: the effective control of an area by a central government and the absence, or weakening, of insurgent groups; the existence of market forces that made cultivation financially less attractive; and consistently applied disincentives through law enforcement and eradication. The UNDCP was urged to strengthen its role as mediator and coordinator of alternative development programmes.

National Drug Control Plans: There was agreement on the need for national drug control plans, with many speakers of the view that a country's national plan was a dynamic, helpful instrument for drug policy at the national level. While some saw assistance to countries in formulating their master plans as a fundamental task of the UNDCP, others believed that technical and financial support should be provided only to those governments requesting it. In addition to two options presented, on how the Commission should treat such plans, there were suggestions for workshops and seminars which would bring together people from various regions with differing problems and solutions, and would facilitate the exchange of ideas and the formulation of plans. Another proposal called for regional meetings where experiences on master plans could be shared. Some speakers called for the development of master plans at the national, subregional and regional levels.

System-Wide Action Plan on Drug Abuse Control (SWAP): The view expressed by several speakers but endorsed by the majority was that the magnitude and complexity of the challenges existing in the area of drug abuse control made coordination and cooperation among the funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations and the international financial institutions imperative. Promotion of such cooperation was said to be one of the most crucial tasks facing the UNDCP. The Plan should be a way of thinking and should foster an effective system-wide approach to the fight against drugs.

National, Subregional, Regional and International Cooperation: All countries agreed on the need for cooperation at all levels, underscoring that any country's commitment to solve its drug problems unilaterally would fail. Ignoring, the "no-boundary" nature of the drug problem simply created a niche which encouraged the proliferation of drug rings, it was stated. There were also requests to the UNDCP to support regional organizations involved in drug control.

Maritime Cooperation: Participants drew attention to the increase in maritime traffic, recognized that the illicit transaction of drugs by sea was increasing worldwide, and called for the UNDCP to develop training and technical assistance programmes. They also urged the holding of regional or subregional seminars or workshops to promote cooperation and share techniques in maritime interdiction.

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International Drug Conference: There were opinions both in favour of, and against, the convening of a second international drug conference, as well as other options, such as a special General Assembly or Economic and Social Council session, for follow-up on the international strategy against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Supporters said that while the Global Programme of Action represented a fundamental contribution to international efforts to reduce illicit drugs, it lacked a mechanism for updating, and that issues such as money laundering and chemical precursors were not understood to be integral problems when the Plan was adopted six years ago, hence, the need for another conference. Others were sceptical about the need for a conference on drug abuse, believing that it would divert the financial resources devoted to anti-drug programmes, and that the unavoidable organization-related tasks would hinder the activities of the United Nations agencies targeting drug control.

Action on Resolutions

By the resolution on actions to strengthen international cooperation to control precursors and their substitutes used in the illicit manufacture of controlled substances, in particular amphetamine-type stimulants (document E/CN.7/1996/L.2/Rev.2), the Economic and Social Council would urge governments to implement specific action to control precursors and to take action against chemical suppliers who fail to cooperate with authorities in that regard. It would call on States, prior to permitting the importation of chemicals listed in the relevant tables of the 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, to require evidence of the legitimacy of the importers and domestic distributors involved. Exporting States would be asked not to permit shipments of such chemicals in sensitive cases identified by the INCB.

The Council would request all States to alert other governments, through the INCB, as soon as diversion attempts were identified and to cooperate in controlled deliveries to prevent traffickers from turning to other countries and regions to obtain precursors. The Council would urge governments with free ports and trade zones to monitor closely the movement of amphetamine-type stimulants and precursors through such trading centres and to provide for a mechanism to seize consignments when adequate ground for suspicion had been established.

Governments would further be requested to consider monitoring intermediaries and brokers who are not themselves end-users of the chemicals concerned. The resolution had 16 sponsors plus the European Commission and its members.

Under the revised draft resolution on drug profiling/signature analysis in support of a scientific approach to law enforcement (document

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E/CN.7/1996/L.3/Rev.1), the Commission requested the Executive Director to develop standard protocols and methods for the profiling/signature of key narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; asked him to designate regional collaborating laboratories to ensure liaison with the Programme and to provide advice and assistance to national laboratories in drug profiling/signature analysis; further requested him to develop a mechanism for regular exchange of seized samples and relevant data between the laboratory of the Programme and the regional and national ones; and also asked him to develop the programme of technical assistance relating to drug profiling/signature analysis in consultation with interested governments, particularly those of developing countries, taking into account their specific needs in that field. The text had 26 co-sponsors.

Under the text on measures to enhance subregional, regional and international cooperation in drug control in Western and Central Asia (document E/CN.7/1996/L.4), the Commission urged the Programme and donor countries to provide technical assistance in the development of special programmes for transit States in subregions affected by drug trafficking, and to support those countries' efforts to reduce and eliminate the illicit drug traffic through their territories, by extending to Afghanistan and to members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Central Asia the ongoing project designed to strengthen law enforcement in border areas of south-west Asia.

The Commission underlined the need for the implementation of alternative development and crop substitution programmes, particularly in Afghanistan. It requested the Programme to seek assistance of donor countries and to encourage various multilateral development banks and international financial institutions to increase the flow of assistance designed to enable countries producing drugs or affected by the drug problem to implement supply reduction programmes. The resolution was sponsored by Afghanistan, Austria, Bahamas, Bolivia, India, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Syria and Turkey.

In another resolution, on establishment of a regional mechanism for the exchange of information, experience, training and ideas on demand reduction (document E/CN.7/1996/L.5/Rev.2), the Commission invited member States to draw up national plans on demand reduction and to consider creating a better understanding of the consequences of drug abuse, especially in the workplace. States were also invited to strengthen the control of drug abuse among youth, who were the group most at risk, including the establishment of national committees on "Sport against Drugs". Also by the text, the Commission requested the Executive Director to consider organizing forums on demand reduction at the regional level, parallel to meetings of heads of national drug law enforcement agencies.

The revised text had 22 co-sponsors.

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By a text on consideration of national drug control plans (document E/CN.7/1996/L.6/Rev.1), the Commission, expressing alarm that drug abuse and illicit production of, and trafficking in, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were threatening millions of people, youth in particular, requested the UNDCP to continue assisting States in developing, carrying out and evaluating national drug-control "master plans", and to report to the Commission, where appropriate. It called on States to implement the recommendations contained in the Global Programme of Action and to develop and to adopt comprehensive national drug-control strategies.

Angola, Austria, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, Syria, Ukraine and Uruguay sponsored the text.

By a 31-Power resolution, on encouragement of each member State to require the establishment by banks and other financial institutions of customer identification policies and to broaden anti-money-laundering measures, and of the UNDCP to strengthen cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (document E/CN.7/1996/L.7/Rev.3), the Commission, in recognition of the growing threat posed to the economies of the world, particularly the danger to emerging economies, by drug-trafficking and the other criminal organizations, urged States to prohibit banks and other financial institutions from offering accounts identified only by number, anonymous accounts or accounts in obviously false names, and to ensure that such institutions were informed of the identities of beneficial customers in all transactions, particularly those conducted by nominees.

The Commission recommended that States consider implementing measures to detect and monitor the physical transportation of cash and bearer negotiable instruments at the border, impeding strict safeguards but without impeding legitimate capital movements; and that they require banks and other financial institutions to take reasonable measures to determine the true identities of persons on whose behalf an account was opened or a transaction conducted.

The Commission urged States to broaden money-laundering counter-measures to include the transit, conversion or other disposition of illegal proceeds from all serious crime. It encouraged them to consider adopting legislative measures for the confiscation of illicit proceeds from drug trafficking and other serious offences, for asset forfeiture and for provisional arrangements, such as the freezing or seizing of assets, with due respect to the interests of bona fide third parties. States should consider introducing of bilateral arrangements for equitable sharing of forfeited assets in such cases.

The Commission called on States to require financial institutions to maintain all transaction records, to facilitate responses to requests for information to be used in criminal investigations and prosecutions, civil forfeiture proceedings or regulatory actions. It urged the UNDCP to continue to work with the Financial Action Task Force and other relevant multilateral

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and regional anti-money-laundering institutions in order to strengthen international efforts against money laundering and to review progress made by the States in implementing the 40 recommendations of the Task Force and the anti-money-laundering provisions of the 1988 Convention.

In the resolution on improvements in the United Nations System-Wide Action Plan on Drug Abuse Control (SWAP) (document E/CN.7/1996/L.8/Rev.1), the Commission requested the Executive Director to ensure that the work initiated by the Subcommittee on Drug control of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) in elaborating a revitalized SWAP, was carried forward with determination and speed, and it underlined the continuing need for further efforts to improve coordination of drug-control activities at the field level.

The Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council, in considering drug-control issues in the high-level segment of its substantive 1996 session, to: give due attention to questions of coordination, including progress made on the new SWAP; endorse the approach adopted by the Subcommittee; call on relevant United Nations system agencies actively to participate in preparing the new SWAP and to integrate it fully into their planning and programming process; request them to reinforce efforts, especially at the field level, to ensure that the drug-control dimension of activities was fully taken into account, and to identify, in cooperation with the UNDCP, programmes and projects where a specific drug-control component could usefully be inserted; and requested the Programme and agencies to ensure that the drug-control dimension was fully considered when preparing, together with the recipient country, the country strategy note.

In addition, the Commission reiterated its call for States to support the efforts of the Executive Director by promoting, in other United Nations bodies, the inclusion of a drug-control dimension in their activities; and by engaging in a dialogue on drug abuse control at the field level with the multilateral development institutions.

The resolution had 29 co-sponsors.

Under the terms of a revised text on timely provision of controlled drugs for emergency care (document E/CN.7/1996/L.9/Rev.1), the Commission endorsed the position of the INCB that the transportation and provision of controlled drugs needed for humanitarian aid in acute emergencies justified the application of simplified controlled procedures, and further endorsed the existing practice by some countries of applying simplified controls in such emergency situations.

It recommended that the national authorities of exporting countries conclude standing agreements with bona fide suppliers of humanitarian aid, specifying operational procedures to ensure the proper handling of controlled drugs; further recommended the authorities of the recipient countries to

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report to the exporting countries and the INCB, wherever possible, the quantity of the unused emergency care drugs, to make possible the re-evaluation of the annual requirements estimation. It also invited the World Health Organization (WHO), in consultation with the INCB and interested governments, to draw up model guidelines to assist national authorities in developing such standard agreements with bona fide humanitarian organizations.

The resolution had 22 sponsors.

By the draft resolution on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs (document E/CN.7/1996/L.10), the Economic and Social Council would urge all governments to continue to maintain a balance between the licit supply of and demand for opiates for medical and scientific needs -- an effort to be facilitated via support to traditional supplier countries -- and to cooperate in preventing a proliferation of sources of manufacture for export. It would also urge governments of producing countries to take effective measures to prevent illicit production or diversion of opiate raw materials to illicit channels, and consumer countries would be urged to assess realistically and communicate to the INCB their needs for opiates to ensure easy supply.

The draft was sponsored by Belgium, France, India and Turkey.

By a resolution entitled "towards a new system of financing activities of the UNDCP" (document E/CN.7/1996/L.11/Rev.2), the Commission endorsed the Executive Director's proposal for maintaining and strengthening the capacities of the UNDCP as a "centre of excellence" in order to provide higher-quality expertise, more solid backstopping of field activities and a credible reference point for the establishment of an international network of expertise. It noted with appreciation the Executive Director's initiative to increase core funds by about $15 million annually by widening the donor base and having such contributions constitute a higher proportion of the total funds available.

The Commission invited member States to consider contributing a portion of the value of confiscated drug-related proceeds to the UNDCP Fund. It also expressed appreciation to those countries which had already responded to the Executive Director's appeal for additional general-purpose funding, and urged an early response from all other States and interested organizations.

The text had many sponsors.

The Commission approved the draft resolution on strengthening of the role of the INCB and development of a unified information system for the collection and analysis of data concerning the nature, patterns and trends of the global problem of drug abuse (document E/CN.7/1996/L.12/Rev.1). Under that 34-Power text, the Economic and Social Council would encourage the Board to

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continue to ensure the more effective implementation of the international drug control treaties and, in so doing, to evaluate the global drug problem and cooperate with governments in an ongoing dialogue.

It would request the Executive Director to report to the Commission next year on current efforts to collect and analyse information on the nature and patterns of, and trends in, the illicit consumption, cultivation, manufacture, traffic and distribution of drugs, whether of natural origin or synthetic, to improve the formulation of prevention and control policies in those fields, enhance public awareness of the international drug control situation and ensure that UNDCP activities were based on comprehensive and relevant information and knowledge, with a view to unifying and simplifying the collection system for the use by governments and the Programme, including the Board.

The Council would encourage the Board to intensify its programme of country missions in order to monitor the implementation of the international drug control Conventions and also to gain a more comprehensive and direct awareness of those countries' drug control policies.

The draft resolution on measures to combat diversion of psychotropic substances and to establish effective control over operations carried out by intermediaries in international trade of psychotropic substances (document E/CN.7/1996/L.13) would have the Economic and Social Council call for a spectrum of measures aimed at tightening controls over psychotropic substances.

By that text, sponsored by 26 Powers, the Council would invite governments which had not done so to establish, as a priority, competent authorities for the control of psychotropic substances and to notify the Secretary-General of the identity of those authorities, including their addresses. Governments would be invited to take appropriate measures, with the assistance of the INCB, to prevent shipments of psychotropic substances in excess of the annual domestic requirements for licit purposes to countries which had not yet implemented effective controls over international trade in those substances. The Board would be requested to establish assessments of annual domestic requirements for licit purposes for psychotropic substances in respect of countries that had not yet submitted such assessments.

The governments of exporting countries would be invited to exercise the utmost vigilance over import orders for psychotropic substances received from countries considered to have deficient control regimes, particularly to prevent uncontrolled re-exports, and to ensure that exports to free ports and free trade zones were avoided if controls over re-exports had not been established. Governments which did not yet control international trade in certain psychotropic substances covered by the 1971 Convention would be called upon urgently to consider establishing such a system.

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By a text on a draft declaration on guiding principles of demand reduction (document E/CN.7/1996/L.14), the Commission recommended that the Economic and Social Council request the Executive Director to continue to develop such a document in consultation with member States, and with due regard to the linkages between demand and supply reduction activities. The Council would request him, if necessary, to convene a working group with expertise in demand reduction to assist in the further development of the draft declaration, using voluntary resources. The draft had more than 40 co-sponsors.

By the resolution on promoting projects and programmes that use involvement in sports as an effective measure to prevent drug abuse (document E/CN.7/1996/L.15), the Commission encouraged governments to establish "Sport against Drugs" national committees, also involving non-governmental organizations, national sports federations, national Olympic committees and individual athletes, and requested the Programme to consider extending its support and expertise to such committees within the framework of the UNDCP/International Olympic Committee Cooperation Agreement. It invited the Programme to finalize a global "Sport against Drugs" programme in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and to disseminate messages related to the theme at the Olympic Games and other major international sports events. It urged the UNDCP to submit the "Sport against Drugs" programme to potential donor Governments and organizations with the request to provide the additional resources necessary to implement it.

The Commission approved a draft resolution on the question of convening a special session of the General Assembly devoted to the combat against the illicit production, sale, demand traffic and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and related activities (document E/CN.7/1996/L.16/Rev.1). The text, with 39 co-sponsors, would have the Economic and Social Council recommend that the Assembly convene such a special session for three days in 1998 to propose new strategies, methods, practical activities and specific measures to strengthen international cooperation to address the problem of illicit drugs.

The special session would have the following objectives: to promote adherence to and full implementation of the 1988 Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, as well as the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; to adopt measures to increase international cooperation in the application of drug control laws; to adopt measures to reduce the illicit demand for drugs and to prevent and sanction money laundering; and to adopt measures to strengthen the fight against organized crime and illicit arms trade related to drug trafficking. The session would take place 10 years after the adoption in Vienna of the 1988 Convention.

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By a resolution sponsored by Italy on strengthening of drug prevention and control of drug-related crime (document E/CN.7/1996/L.17/Rev.1), the Commission requested all States to accede to the international drug control treaties before the end of the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse (1991-2000) and to ensure the full implementation of the internationally agreed drug control strategy. They were asked to examine the role of social factors as a significant cause of drug-related crime among young people in urban areas and to determine what action was needed to reintegrate into the community young people threatened by drug abuse at the local, regional and national level.

The Commission stressed the importance for States, with the support of the UNDCP and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division, to promote skilled training courses for police officials involved in the prevention and punishment of drug trafficking and money laundering offences, as well as for personnel in the fields of education, public health and social services. States were requested to strengthen, both regionally and internationally, joint strategies to control the various forms of crime connected with illicit trafficking, by adopting and intensifying the technique of "controlled delivery", an approach that had proved effective in dealing with organized crime.

The text had many sponsors.

The draft decision on membership of the Subcommission on Illicit Drug Traffic and Related Matters in the Near and Middle East (document E/CN.7/1996/L.19), which was submitted by the Chairman, would have the Economic and Social Council approve the applications for membership in the Subcommission of Kazakstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

The Commission postponed action on a text on expansion of the Commission's membership (document E/CN.7/1996/L.18), deciding to set up a working group to review the matter further. By its provisions, the Commission would have recommended that the Economic and Social Council transform the Commission into a body open to the participation of all United Nations Member States and observers that might wish to serve on it. The Commission would make that proposal on the grounds that "the drug problem is a global and transnational phenomenon which in different ways affects all countries" and in recognition of universal concern about the issue. The draft was sponsored by Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay and Uruguay.

In the discussion before the deferral, while some speakers welcomed an expanded membership, others were concerned that the inclusion of all member States could make the Commission disruptive and unwieldy.

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Officers

The following officers were elected: Helmut Butke (Germany), Chairman; Sergio González Gálvez (Mexico), Abdelkader Aziria (Algeria) and Sumaryo Suryokusumo (Indonesia), Vice-Chairmen; and Pavel Jajtner (Czech Republic), Rapporteur.

Participation

The session was attended by the representatives of 52 States members of the Commission: Algeria, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.

The following 52 States were represented as observers: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Holy See, Hungary, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Libya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Micronesia, Monaco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Yemen and Zambia.

Also represented were representatives of four specialized agencies, 11 intergovernmental organizations and 28 non-governmental organizations.

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