| United Nations | A/50/460 |
General Assembly
Distr. GENERAL
16 October 1995
ORIGINAL:
ENGLISH
Fiftieth session
Agenda item 108
INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL
Implementation of the Global Programme of Action adopted by
the General Assembly at its seventeenth special session
Report of the Secretary-General
CONTENTS
Paragraphs Page
I. INTRODUCTION ..........................................1 - 12 3
A. Background ........................................1 - 4 3
B. Action taken by the Economic and Social Council and
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs .................. 5 4
C. Evaluation of progress made and recommendations to
improve implementation ............................6 - 11 4
D. Ways and means of improving the provision of
information by Member States ...................... 12 6
II. PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF DRUG ABUSE WITH A VIEW TO
THE ELIMINATION OF THE ILLICIT DEMAND FOR NARCOTIC
DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES .....................13 - 19 6
III. TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF
DRUG ADDICTS ..........................................20 - 24 8
IV. CONTROL OF SUPPLY OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC
SUBSTANCES ............................................25 - 44 9
95-31095 (E) 181095/...
*9531095*
CONTENTS (continued)
Paragraphs Page
A. Eradication and substitution of the illicit
production of narcotic drugs and eradication of
illicit processing of such drugs and of illicit
production and diversion of psychotropic substances25 - 29 9
B. Licit production, manufacture and supply of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances ........30 - 31 10
C. Cooperation at the multilateral level .............32 - 41 10
D. Monitoring and control mechanisms .................42 - 44 12
V. SUPPRESSION OF ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN NARCOTIC DRUGS
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES ...........................45 - 48 13
VI. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF MONEY
DERIVED FROM, USED IN OR INTENDED FOR USE IN ILLICIT
DRUG TRAFFICKING, ILLEGAL FINANCIAL FLOWS AND ILLEGAL
USE OF THE BANKING SYSTEM .............................49 - 54 14
VII. STRENGTHENING OF JUDICIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS,
INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT .............................55 - 60 15
VIII. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE DIVERSION OF ARMS
AND EXPLOSIVES AND ILLICIT TRAFFIC BY VESSELS,
AIRCRAFT AND VEHICLES .................................61 - 63 16
IX. UNITED NATIONS DECADE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE, COVERING
THE YEARS 1991-2000 ...................................64 - 69 17
X. RESOURCES AND STRUCTURE ...............................70 - 72 18
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Background
1. The General Assembly, at its seventeenth special session, by resolution
S-17/2, annex, adopted the Political Declaration and Global Programme of
Action on international cooperation against illicit production, supply,
demand, trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances. The Global Programme of Action sets out a comprehensive list
of measures and activities to be undertaken by States and United Nations
entities collectively and simultaneously in the fight against all aspects
of drug abuse and illicit traffic. In the Political Declaration, the
Assembly declared the period from 1991 to the year 2000 the United Nations
Decade against Drug Abuse, to be devoted to effective and sustained
national, regional and international actions to promote the implementation
of the Global Programme of Action.
2. It is stated in paragraph 97 of the Global Programme of Action that the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the United Nations drug-control bodies
should continuously monitor progress on the implementation of the Global
Programme of Action and that the Secretary-General should report annually
to the General Assembly on all activities relating to the Global Programme
of Action and the efforts of Governments. In its resolution 4 (XXXVII) of
20 April 1994, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs requested the Secretary-
General to include an evaluation of progress in the implementation of the
Global Programme of Action in future reports.
3. To facilitate reporting, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in its
resolution 4 (XXXVII) requested the Secretariat to send a questionnaire to
all Governments soliciting information on activities undertaken to
implement the Global Programme of Action. As of 1 September 1995, replies
had been received from the following 67 States and Territories: Argentina,
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil,
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cyprus,
Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland,
France, Germany Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic
of), Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho,
Luxembourg, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria,
Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal,
Romania, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore,
Slovakia, South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia,
Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Arab
Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela. The Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice Branch of the Secretariat, the International Labour
Organization (ILO), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO) also informed the Secretariat about
activities undertaken to promote and implement the Global Programme of
Action. Information submitted by States was complemented by information
from other official sources. The present report covers activities during
1994 and the first half of 1995.
4. The present report is structured thematically along the lines of the
Global Programme of Action. Each section contains a general overview of
approaches and policies developed by States individually and in cooperation
with other States at the bilateral, regional and international levels and
international organizations. Concrete examples of programmes and measures
implemented at the national level have also been included. In accordance
with General Assembly resolution 49/168 and Commission on Narcotic Drugs
resolution 4 (XXXVII), the present report contains an evaluation of
progress in the implementation of the Global Programme of Action and
recommendations on ways and means of improving implementation.
B. Action taken by the Economic and Social Council and the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs
5. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its thirty-eighth session, and the
Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995, adopted
resolutions that have a bearing on the themes of the Global Programme of
Action. Those resolutions deal, in particular, with the following:
integration of demand reduction initiatives into a cohesive strategy to
combat drug abuse (Council resolution 1995/16); enhanced regional
cooperation to reduce the risks of drug abuse (Council resolution 1995/17);
promoting the use of memoranda of understanding to facilitate cooperation
between customs authorities and other competent administrations and the
international trading community, including commercial carriers (Council
resolution 1995/18); demand for and supply of opiates for medical and
scientific needs (Council resolution 1995/19); measures to strengthen
international cooperation to prevent diversion of substances listed in the
United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances of 1988, 1/ and used in the illicit manufacture of
stimulants and other psychotropic substances (Council resolution 1995/20).
The 14 resolutions adopted by the Commission at its thirty-eighth session
in 1995 also address issues that are relevant to the Global Programme of
Action such as demand reduction, supply reduction and money-laundering.
C. Evaluation of progress made and recommendations
to improve implementation
6. With respect to reducing the illicit demand for drugs, the most common
activities implemented by Governments were prevention campaigns seeking to
increase awareness of the dangers of drug abuse. Not all campaigns,
however, were targeted and only very few were long-term sustained efforts
embedded in a comprehensive national demand reduction strategy. States
should, therefore, draw up comprehensive and sustainable national demand
reduction strategies that encompass prevention, education, treatment and
rehabilitation programmes and allocate sufficient resources to implement
them. States should also carefully monitor implementation and
effectiveness of national demand reduction strategies and share experience
thereon with other States, either through the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) or on a bilateral basis. The involvement of
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in developing and implementing
prevention policies has shown positive results. States should therefore
continue to cooperate with NGOs in that regard and also mobilize other
organizations of civil society. In that connection, it may be noted that
the Executive Director of UNDCP has been requested by the Economic and
Social Council, in its resolution 1995/16, to define a global strategy for
demand reduction and to develop, in consultation with Governments and
organizations, a draft declaration on the guiding principles of demand
reduction.
7. Although many Governments report offering treatment to drug abusers,
that treatment is in many cases confined to detoxification under medical
supervision. Consequently, there is a need to establish treatment
facilities where drug abusers can receive specialized treatment. The
efforts that have been made by some Governments to provide drug-dependent
offenders with access to treatment and rehabilitation and to prevent the
transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are noted with
satisfaction. Rehabilitation and social reintegration of drug abusers,
however, are areas that have not received adequate attention. States
should therefore develop programmes to that end and, in addition, endeavour
to involve NGOs in providing counselling and long-term support to former
drug abusers.
8. In spite of successes achieved in some countries and in some aspects of
dealing with illicit cultivation and production, the overall situation has
unfortunately shown little improvement. However, subregional cooperation
has emerged as an effective means of overcoming cross-border drug-related
problems and progress has been made in several areas of the world. UNDCP
should therefore continue to promote subregional cooperation in drug-
control matters. Steps have been taken by Governments and competent
international bodies to prevent the diversion of precursors and essential
chemicals into the illicit traffic. Nevertheless, more should be done to
strengthen mechanisms and procedures to monitor the movement of precursors,
particularly with respect to data collection and information-sharing.
Governments should also, as a matter of urgency, identify the competent
authorities and their role in the implementation of article 12 of the 1988
Convention and provide the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB)
with that information, together with contact addresses.
9. With respect to suppression of illicit trafficking in drugs, States
report having taken various initiatives to conclude both bilateral and
regional agreements and arrangements to facilitate operational cooperation
in lawenforcement matters. While those activities constitute important
steps, they need to be supported by judicial processes such as extradition
or mutual legal assistance set out in the 1988 Convention. There is also a
need to strengthen the active intelligence capacity of States by, inter
alia, establishing databases with intelligence information. Furthermore,
States are encouraged to enhance cooperation between law-enforcement
agencies at the national level, in particular with regard to information-
sharing and joint operations.
10. While there has been some improvement, international cooperation
against money-laundering in compliance with the 1988 Convention is often
impaired by banking practices in certain States. States with strict bank
secrecy laws that may prevent or hinder investigation of money-laundering
should therefore urgently consider enacting penal provisions on drug-
related money-laundering offences and comprehensive legislation that would
enable the investigation of such offences and provide for the confiscation
of proceeds derived from illicit trafficking, in accordance with articles 3
and 5 of the 1988 Convention. Governments should also adhere to existing
regional agreements against moneylaundering and should draw up bilateral
agreements as required. States should consider the possibility of using
forfeited proceeds for drug-control activities, including contributing to
drug-related projects of the United Nations.
11. Further progress has been made in the adherence of States to
international drug-control treaties. However, it is noted with concern
that effective functioning of the 1971 Convention is hampered because some
States that manufacture and export psychotropic substances have not yet
become parties to the Convention. States that are signatories to the
international drug-control treaties should complete legislative and other
enabling changes and ratify the international drug-control treaties as a
priority.
D. Ways and means of improving the provision of
information by Member States
12. By September 1995, 67 Governments had informed the Secretariat of
activities taken to promote and implement the Global Programme of Action,
an increase of 139 per cent compared to 1993, when only 28 replies were
received. To ensure that the provision of information continues to
increase, copies of the questionnaire will be mailed directly to the
competent authorities to permit timely and conscientious reporting, in line
with Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 4 (XXXVII).
II. PREVENTION AND REDUCTION OF DRUG ABUSE WITH A VIEW TO
THE ELIMINATION OF THE ILLICIT DEMAND FOR NARCOTIC
DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
13. Although States have accorded higher priority to the prevention and
reduction of drug abuse (reflecting not only a change in attitude but also
an ever-increasing abuse problem), only a few Governments report having
adopted or having implemented strategies against drug abuse that encompass
prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration.
In most cases, demand reduction activities are confined to prevention
campaigns aimed at educating the public or specific target groups deemed to
be particularly vulnerable to drug abuse, such as high school students or
college-aged individuals, on the dangers of drugs.
14. Drug-abuse education programmes range from the traditional information
leaflet to television miniseries or other forms of broadcast: in Peru, a
miniseries was televised and, in Pakistan, a six-episode drama on drug-
abuse prevention was broadcast. Several Governments report using mass
media as a vehicle for raising awareness of the dangers related to drug
abuse. Teachers or other professionals involved in drug education
generally receive training and in Pakistan, drug-prevention courses were
introduced at teacher training colleges. Little is known of the success or
failure of prevention and education programmes. However, Israel attributed
the recent decrease in drug use among high school students to educational
programmes that are conducted in 40 per cent of schools.
15. Demand reduction activities are usually carried out by ministries of
health or education and, as was reported in a number of instances, by
entities that deal primarily with law enforcement such as the police. An
increasing number of Governments involve NGOs in carrying out demand
reduction activities, and in Mauritius, a trust fund was set up to finance
non-governmental and other organizations working in the field of prevention
of drug abuse. Other measures include enlisting the help of community
leaders or other well-known personalities to transmit an anti-drug message.
Saint Lucia reported, for example, that other organizations of the civil
society such as Kiwanis Club, Lions International and Rotary participated
in implementing demand reduction activities. The increase in the number of
organizations involved in demand reduction in many instances has
necessitated the creation of coordinating bodies, and the establishment of
such bodies has permitted better coordination of governmental and non-
governmental activities against drug abuse.
16. UNDCP has enhanced its role as a clearing-house for information on
drug abuse. Data on patterns and trends of drug abuse have been collected
through the international drug abuse assessment system. Although the
extent of information supplied varies, comparability within broad
analytical categories has been accomplished and the system has proven
effective in monitoring the drug situation at the national, regional and
global levels. Nevertheless, more effort is needed to strengthen data
collection and analytical capabilities in many countries. To this end,
rapid assessment studies, designed to evaluate the nature and patterns of
drug abuse, have been used and will continue to be used to assess the drug-
abuse situation. UNDCP, WHO, Member States and selected regional
organizations have joined in efforts to establish an international
epidemiology network, based on the electronic exchange of information.
17. Implementation of the joint UNDCP/ILO/WHO project on the development
of model programmes of prevention among workers and their families
continued in Egypt, Mexico, Namibia, Poland and Sri Lanka. All of those
countries are engaged in project activities in the workplace, reaching some
250,000 employees. Similar programmes are expected to be launched in a
number of Central and Eastern European countries. Prevention programmes
for the maritime industry are also being developed in collaboration with a
number of shipping companies and the Philippines Overseas Employment
Agency. ILO provides assistance to India, Jamaica, Pakistan and Thailand
in developing workplace prevention and communitybased rehabilitation
programmes.
18. WHO is continuing work on the Consolidated Epidemiological Manual for
Substance Abuse with a view to strengthening national capabilities to
describe patterns and trends of substance abuse. WHO has also finalized a
project document on substance abuse among street children and reviewed the
situation of substance abuse in indigenous populations. UNDCP, the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and WHO
initiated a joint project on substance abuse among refugees from Viet Nam
in Hong Kong.
19. IMO has developed general guidelines concerning drug and alcohol abuse
and its impact on the health and fitness or the ability of seafarers to
perform shipboard functions. The United Nations Interregional Crime and
Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) carried out the final phase of the
drug-abuse prevention programme for Hungary, which consisted of follow-up
activities involving a group of multidisciplinary experts responsible for
the design and implementation of training projects for educational
personnel.
III. TREATMENT, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL REINTEGRATION
OF DRUG ADDICTS
20. Most Governments report providing treatment to drug abusers.
Treatment is usually voluntary and free of charge to the abuser and
provided by governmental institutions in specialized treatment centres.
Where no such centres exist, treatment is often confined to detoxification
units in hospital or alcohol rehabilitation centres. Many Governments
report planning to expand treatment facilities. Methadone maintenance
programmes are implemented in some countries in Western Europe. In cases
where private institutions offer treatment facilities to drug abusers, care
is taken that certain standards are maintained. In Israel, for example, all
institutions providing treatment to drug abusers require an operating
licence. Furthermore, a law that entered into force in 1994 sets
professional and administrative standards for institutions where treatment
is provided.
21. Since drug abusers account for a significant proportion of the prison
population, efforts have been made to provide treatment to drug-addicted
offenders. In the United States of America, the Violent Crime Control and
Law Enforcement Act of 1994 thus provides for the introduction of a
residential substance abuse treatment programme for prisoners in state and
federal prisons. Sufficient funds were made available so that by the end of
1997, all prisoners in federal prisons willing to undergo programmes will
be able to do so. As an incentive, federal prisoners who choose to receive
treatment are eligible for sentence reductions of up to one year. More
attention has been paid to preventing the transmission of HIV and other
blood-borne infections among drug abusers. In line with the Global
Programme of Action, WHO contributed to or organized training courses on
the prevention of drug abuse and HIV infection for China and Viet Nam as
well as Hong Kong and Macao.
22. Few activities were reported with respect to the social reintegration
of drug abusers, which is vital in preventing relapse and fostering long-
term abstinence. All too often that important task is left to the drug
abuser's immediate family or friends. Cases, such as those in the
Philippines where rehabilitation centres have established ties with the
private sector in order to facilitate job placement for former drug
abusers, are not very numerous. Likewise, the provision of adequate
training to professionals active in the field of treatment of drug abuse
and the rehabilitation of former drug abusers has been difficult to
achieve. In developing countries, training is mainly provided through
bilateral assistance.
23. ILO published a monograph on the principles of effective programming
for addiction rehabilitation in developing countries in 1994, which
constitutes the basis for ILO advice and training in the field of
vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration. Technical advisory
missions were undertaken to the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Chile, Jamaica
and Trinidad and Tobago to review needs and formulate plans and proposals
for follow-up action.
24. Under the Regional Training Programme on Addiction Rehabilitation,
ILO, in cooperation with UNDCP, the International Federation of Non-
Governmental Organizations and the National Drug Research Centre of the
University of Science of Malaysia, conducted training courses for a total
of 50 participants from 20 countries from the Asia and Pacific region.
National training courses for rehabilitation and after-care workers are
scheduled to be held in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri
Lanka and Thailand. It is expected that the establishment of resource
centres on rehabilitation and workplace initiatives in Malawi, Namibia, the
United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia will be completed in 1995.
IV. CONTROL OF SUPPLY OF NARCOTIC DRUGS
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
A. Eradication and substitution of the illicit production of
narcotic drugs and eradication of illicit processing of
such drugs and of illicit production and diversion of
psychotropic substances
25. Several Governments report efforts to eradicate the illicit
cultivation of narcotic plants which, in most cases, relate to the illicit
cultivation of cannabis. Various methods are used to determine the extent
of illicit cultivation, including aerial surveys. Where licit cultivation
of the opium poppy takes place, Governments report implementing strict
control measures to prevent the diversion of licitly produced opiates into
the illicit traffic. Some Governments, such as Colombia and South Africa,
report using aerial spraying to eradicate illicit crop cultivation.
26. UNDCP continued its alternative development activities aimed at the
reduction of illicit opium cultivation in Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Lao
People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Pakistan. A new alternative
development project by UNDCP was initiated in October 1994 in the Wa region
of Myanmar that accounts for the majority of the opium production in
Myanmar. The project will help to develop alternative sources of income by
developing diversified cropping practices and added value to the resulting
production and, together with other United Nations agencies, assist in
providing health care and opportunities for primary education. The socio-
economic survey conducted during the pilot phase of the project will
constitute the groundwork for the full project phase, which is to commence
in 1996. In Thailand, after many years of assistance, UNDCP has phased out
its direct support to alternative development, which is now being managed
by the Thai Government. A project in Afghanistan developed a system for
monitoring opium cultivation and produced significant information on the
extent of opium cultivation in that country.
27. Following the eradication of opium poppy and cannabis cultivations in
1992, UNDCP initiated the first phase of the Baalbeck-Hermel integrated
area development programme in Lebanon, which aims at preventing reversion
to illicit cultivation by, inter alia, generating income based on licit
crop cultivation. The second phase of the programme, expected to begin at
the end of 1995, will involve activities such as support to the community
at the technical, organizational and social levels and the establishment,
funding and operation of a multipurpose rural credit scheme.
28. UNDCP continued its alternative development activities in Bolivia,
Colombia and Peru and approved a new alternative development project for
Peru in 1994. A subregional workshop on alternative development was held
at Lima from 25 to 29 October 1994. The workshop was attended by
government officials and donor country representatives as well as project
and UNDCP staff from Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, and reviewed the
rationale, role and drug-control achievements of alternative development in
the Andean region, based on the experience of UNDCP in Bolivia, Colombia
and Peru during the period 1984-1994. The workshop also reviewed the
experience acquired by UNDCP in Asia and that of bilateral donors in the
Andean region.
29. Activities related to drug control by UNIDO continued in the Chapare
region of Bolivia with the second phase of alternative development
projects. It was reported that 12 industrial plants that had been
restructured during the first phase were profitably processing various
agricultural products. UNIDO further continued technical cooperation
projects on processing of medicinal and aromatic plants to yield high
value-added products in India, the United Republic of Tanzania and Viet
Nam.
B. Licit production, manufacture and supply of narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances
30. While the consumption of opiates exceeded the production of opiate raw
materials in 1993, rising production of poppy straw in Australia and Turkey
nearly restored the balance between the demand and supply of opiates during
1994. However, the global production of opiate raw materials remained
below the level of consumption by about 13 tons in morphine equivalent. As
a result of a considerable increase in the total area under cultivation,
INCB expects that the production of opiate raw materials will surpass the
consumption of opiates by approximately 28 tons.
31. INCB is concerned about the considerable decrease in the availability
of opium in India during 1994. According to the Government, the country
may have difficulty in meeting its domestic and export requirements in the
period immediately prior to its next harvest as a result of the combined
effects of increased opium exports since 1990, two consecutive poor
harvests in 1993 and 1994 and, above all, the fact that opium stocks in
India were actually considerably lower than had been reported.
C. Cooperation at the multilateral level
Africa
32. UNDCP organized a legal workshop, held at Pretoria in November 1994,
on subregional cooperation against drug trafficking that was attended by
representatives of 14 Governments. Following a review of the status of
cooperation on the investigation of drug-trafficking cases and prosecution
of offenders, including related technical assistance requirements, the
workshop adopted a plan of action that outlined measures to be taken by
Governments to facilitate cooperation and to strengthen drug-trafficking
interdiction in the Eastern and Southern African subregion.
33. In West Africa, UNDCP organized a workshop of representatives of
National Coordinating Committees of West African Countries and a meeting of
coordinating ministers for drug control in the subregion at Abidjan. The
workshop resulted in the creation of a subregional technical committee for
West Africa that will coordinate with national technical committees and act
as UNDCP counterpart for the development of subregional drug-control
activities. The final document adopted at the ministerial meeting
reaffirmed commitment to dealing with drug control and contains an outline
of a subregional plan of action.
34. UNDCP and the Organization of African Unity signed a memorandum of
understanding that provides for cooperation between the two organizations
and foresees, inter alia, the exchange of information and sharing of
expertise as well as joint activities.
Asia and the Pacific
35. A memorandum of understanding was signed between UNDCP, the Islamic
Republic of Iran and Pakistan in May 1994. A project began aimed at
enhancing interdiction capabilities in border areas of the Islamic Republic
of Iran and Pakistan. Technical consultations between India and Pakistan,
held under the auspices of UNDCP, resulted in increased collaboration in
drug-control matters at both the policy and the operational levels.
36. In the context of the 1993 subregional memorandum of understanding
concluded between China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar and
Thailand, meetings of the joint executing committees were convened for
further discussions on ongoing and future subregional initiatives in drug
control. Support continued to the China/Myanmar border area law-enforcement
project aimed at reducing illicit drug trafficking. In May 1995, a
protocol was signed expanding the number of signatories of the 1993
memorandum of understanding from four to six by the accession of Cambodia
and Viet Nam.
37. UNDCP launched a subregional project for the control of precursors and
essential chemicals in South-East Asia in 1994. The project aims at
creating awareness among national authorities in the subregion on the
importance of precursor control. One of the next phases of the project
will be implemented in the context of the subregional memorandum of
understanding between Cambodia, China, the Lao People's Democratic
Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. A similar precursor control
project was developed for South and South-West Asia.
38. The Committee on Narcotics Abuse Control of the Economic Cooperation
Organization (ECO) finalized a comprehensive regional plan for drug control
in the region of the organization. UNDCP and ECO signed a memorandum of
understanding that provides the framework for cooperation in areas such as
information exchange, demand reduction and law-enforcement activities. A
further memorandum of understanding with the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was prepared and is expected to be conclude`d
by the end of 1995.
Europe and the Middle East
39. In order to foster subregional cooperation between the Central Asian
countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which are being
increasingly affected by the drug problem, UNDCP organized a meeting
involving representatives of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in April 1995. A draft text was elaborated and
is expected to be signed by the Heads of State or Government and the
Executive Director at a political summit to be held in November 1995. The
summit is also expected to adopt a subregional drug-control cooperation
programme for Central Asia. In addition, UNDCP launched a large-scale
technical assistance project aimed at strengthening drug-control measures
along the common borders of the countries involved.
40. The changing political situation in the Middle East has created a more
favourable climate for subregional drug control. A meeting was held in
March 1995 with representatives of Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Palestine on
possible cooperation arrangements with respect to interdiction of illicit
drug traffic, institution-building and sharing of expertise in the area of
drug control. A subregional drug-control meeting was held at Cairo in July
1995.
Latin America and the Caribbean
41. A memorandum of understanding on subregional drug cooperation was
signed in April 1994 by Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. In that context, a
programme on harmonization of drug-abuse data collection systems and a
programme on joint training in drug law enforcement were selected for
implementation. The lawenforcement programme includes modules on precursor
control, money-laundering investigation and procedures for the development
of judicial cases on drugrelated crimes.
D. Monitoring and control mechanisms
42. Most Governments where large volumes of precursors and essential
chemicals are manufactured reported having stepped up control measures to
prevent the diversion of those substances into illicit channels. In
Germany, a strict law was passed in 1994 that made the manufacture and sale
of chemicals with the intention to manufacture illicit drugs a crime.
Several other regional or international agreements on precursor control are
in place, such as the European Union directive on precursor control, whose
provisions are binding on States members of the European Union, or the
recommendations adopted by the former Chemical Action Task Force
established by the Heads of State or Government of the Group of Seven major
industrialized nations and the President of the European Community at the
sixteenth annual economic summit, held at Houston, Texas, in July 1990,
which are currently monitored by the INCB.
43. Governments have established specialized units that monitor the
movements of substances frequently used in the manufacture of illicit
drugs. Importers of those substances must report the purpose for which the
substances are to be used; often Governments inspect the premises of
importers to verify whether they are used for legitimate purposes. Close
contact is maintained with the chemical industry, which informs Governments
of suspicious transactions, through a voluntary or mandatory reporting
system. Countries where only small volumes of those substances are used
resort to other measures: in Kuwait and Tunisia only the State may import
such chemicals.
44. Technical assistance enabling States to develop their drug detection
and pharmaceutical control laboratories was provided by UNDCP to 46
national laboratories in 39 countries and 69 chemists from 43 countries
were trained in the analysis of controlled drugs. In addition, 2,251
reference samples of drugs under international control were provided to 73
national laboratories and 1,042 field drug-testing kits were provided to
the national authorities of 64 countries. Currently, 73 laboratories in 57
countries are participating in the international proficiency testing
scheme, which was instituted in 1994 to assess national laboratories.
V. SUPPRESSION OF ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN NARCOTIC DRUGS
AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES
45. Several Governments reported the conclusion of bilateral or regional
agreements or other arrangements aimed at suppressing illicit trafficking
in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. One example was a bilateral
agreement concluded between India and Pakistan aimed at, inter alia,
facilitating the immediate transmission of operational intelligence.
States reported sharing information on methods and routes used for illicit
drug traffic through the network of the International Criminal Police
Organization (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organization or regional
organizations such as the Drug Offences Monitoring Desk of SAARC. Exchange
of operational information is also carried out at the regional meetings of
subsidiary bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. Several European
countries reported exchanging law-enforcement information through
specialized computerized databases. Some Governments have also appointed
liaison officers to other countries in order to facilitate the swiftest
possible exchange of information.
46. Governments have taken several measures to strengthen their
interdiction capabilities. Many have established specialized drug law-
enforcement units, usually within the police forces, that deal with drug-
trafficking offences. Improvement of cooperation between different national
organizations that have a role to play in drug law enforcement increases
the effectiveness of operations. Several approaches to improve coordination
between law-enforcement agencies at the national level have been used: the
establishment of coordinating bodies that comprise personnel of different
agencies, the signing of memoranda of understanding where responsibilities
of the different agencies are outlined and programmes to exchange officers
between agencies.
47. Laws were amended in order to implement effectively the provisions of
the 1988 Convention and to provide more stringent penalties for drug-
trafficking offenders. Governments also reported strengthening their
interdiction capability using law-enforcement techniques such as controlled
delivery, electronic surveillance and use of undercover agents and
informants. Technical assistance has been provided to States in equipping
and strengthening their lawenforcement authorities and criminal justice
systems. Personal contacts that are established at international meetings
that deal with law-enforcement issues, such as the meetings of the heads of
national drug law-enforcement agencies, have contributed to better regional
cooperation in law-enforcement matters.
48. UNICRI completed a two-year research project on the characteristics of
the market for cocaine in Western Europe and its influence on law-
enforcement organization and policy. Research activities included data
collection in the region and field investigations in four countries:
France, Italy, Netherlands and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. A two-year research study on the standardization of illicit
cocaine sample analysis for the identification of impurities was also
completed.
VI. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF MONEY DERIVED
FROM, USED IN OR INTENDED FOR USE IN ILLICIT DRUG
TRAFFICKING, ILLEGAL FINANCIAL FLOWS AND ILLEGAL USE OF
THE BANKING SYSTEM
49. An increasing number of States have enacted legislation that makes
moneylaundering a criminal offence and permits confiscation of the proceeds
derived from, and the instrumentalities used in, illicit drug trafficking.
Many States have introduced mechanisms that permit disclosures by financial
institutions. Nevertheless, certain countries still lack the basic legal
framework within which to exercise financial control. Some States reported
encountering difficulties in the adoption or implementation of money-
laundering legislation. In recognition of the importance of cooperation
between Governments and financial institutions, some States have introduced
a requirement for financial institutions to report on suspicious
transactions or have developed voluntary systems.
50. States reported adopting the recommendations on strengthening the
efforts of the international community against money-laundering, adopted by
the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) established by the Heads of State or
Government of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations and the
President of the Commission of European Communities at the fifteenth annual
economic summit, held in Paris in July 1989. The 15 States members of the
European Union must comply with the European Union directive on prevention
of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money-laundering.
States have also made use of other international agreements such as the
Model Regulations concerning Laundering Offences connected to Illicit Drug
Trafficking and Related Offences, adopted in 1992 by the Inter-American
Drug Abuse Control Commission of the Organization of American States.
Efforts are being made in other regions to develop regional instruments to
prevent and reduce money-laundering. The Council of Arab Ministers plans
to issue a unified Arab law on confiscation of money derived from drug
trafficking. In addition, several States reported the conclusion of
bilateral agreements covering the forfeiture and confiscation of assets.
Asset-sharing arrangements were also reported.
51. Governments reported creating special investigation units to prevent
and reduce money-laundering activities. Those units receive and analyse
information on suspicious transactions reported by banks and financial
institutions. Usually, they do not deal exclusively with drug-related
money-laundering but also investigate other economic and financial crimes.
52. Only very few States direct confiscated proceeds to be used for
drugcontrol activities, although in Argentina, confiscated proceeds are
directed to the Secretary of State for drug control and Saint Lucia
reported that efforts were being made to channel confiscated proceeds to
Police and Customs Departments. One of the reasons put forward is that
drug-control activities should receive a constant level of funding and
should not be subject to variation because of successes or failures of a
particular year's investigations and prosecutions.
53. UNDCP has continued to implement its three-year action plan on
moneylaundering. The assistance and advice provided to Governments have
focused on legal aspects of the problem. An increased number of States
have received assistance in drafting drug-control legislation, including a
money-laundering component. The model money-laundering legislation
developed by UNDCP was reviewed by an expert workshop and now integrates
all provisions concerning confiscation of drug-related and criminal
proceeds as well as mutual legal assistance.
54. Awareness-raising activities continued and included the development of
basic training instruments such as a video on money-laundering and the
drafting of a training manual for financial investigators. UNDCP has also
associated itself with awareness-raising activities organized by FATF.
UNDCP further pursued the establishment of a depository of anti-money-
laundering information, in cooperation with FATF and other organizations.
That depository would contain information on laws and regulations on money-
laundering, currency reporting, bank secrecy and forfeiture of property and
proceeds as well as procedures and practices designed to prevent banking
systems and other financial institutions from being used for money-
laundering.
VII. STRENGTHENING OF JUDICIAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS,
INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT
55. During 1994, 5 States became party to the Single Convention on
Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 7 became party to
the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, 2/ and 12 to the United
Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances of 1988. 1/ States have continued to make progress
in enacting the necessary legislative and administrative measures to give
effect to the conventions; others that have not yet become parties to the
conventions have adopted appropriate measures to comply with its provision
while completing the comprehensive legislation required for ratification or
accession. By 1 September 1995, 151 States were parties to the 1961
Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 136 States were parties to the
1971 Convention and 114 States were parties to the 1988 Convention. Twenty
States were parties to the 1961 Convention in its unamended version.
56. Effective implementation of the provisions of the international
drugcontrol treaties, however, is not as universal as the number of parties
to them would suggest. The fact that a State is party to a particular
Convention does not necessarily mean that it has the legal and
administrative infrastructure in place to carry out all the obligations it
has assumed. Whereas some States become parties before they implement all
the necessary changes in domestic law and administration, others postpone
the formal act of accession or ratification until all enabling domestic
measures are in place. Another concern is that some States that
manufacture and export psychotropic substances have not ratified the 1971
Convention, which has hampered its effective functioning.
57. UNDCP continued to provide legal assistance in advocacy supporting the
adoption of adequate drug-control legislation, assessment of legislative
needs, drafting of new or amended laws and the provision of post-adoption
implementation or problem-solving advice. Assistance was provided to 24
States in 1994-1995. UNDCP also organized four subregional legal workshops
aimed at enhancing subregional cooperation in legal matters. Workshops
also served to train personnel in the implementation of new laws.
58. The lack of a network for continuous dialogue often impedes effective
cooperation between the police and the judiciary, and some Governments
reported planning measures to bridge the communication gap between the two.
For example, in Bangladesh, under a project assisted by UNDCP, the
Department of Narcotics Control organizes training and orientation
programmes for judges, magistrates and prosecutors that deal with drug-
related offences; Belgium and Kenya reported taking similar measures.
Within UNDCP, work was done on a special project for the training of 100
prosecutors and magistrates on the prosecution and adjudication of drug
offences. UNDCP also developed a training manual for African judges of the
civil law system and continued to develop a range of working tools to
assist States in implementing the conventions, including model legislation
on money-laundering and precursor controls.
59. Several States have made efforts to protect the judiciary from any
form of exposure and intimidation threatening its independence and
integrity. In the United Kingdom, the Criminal Justice and Public Order
Act 1994 makes it an offence to harm or intimidate a person who assists the
police or who acts as a witness or juror in any criminal proceedings.
60. Some States have revised and updated their penal codes with a view to
facilitating the prosecution of drug-related cases. One feature of
recently enacted legislation is the permission to use undercover agents.
VIII. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN AGAINST THE DIVERSION OF ARMS
AND EXPLOSIVES AND ILLICIT TRAFFIC BY VESSELS,
AIRCRAFT AND VEHICLES
61. Most Governments report having strict legislative measures in place
that control the import and export of weapons and explosives with a view to
preventing diversion of them into illicit markets. The European Union
directive on acquisition and detention of arms has to be applied by all
States members of the Union. The Government of Mexico reported having
designed a programme for the prevention, detection and control of
trafficking in arms aimed, inter alia, at coordinating action in the area
of arms trafficking.
62. With respect to measures to prevent the unlawful use for the illicit
drug traffic of means of transport operated by commercial carriers, in
accordance with article 15 of the 1988 Convention, the World Customs
Organization has promoted the use of concluding memoranda of understanding
between customs authorities and the international transport and trading
community, setting out joint objectives and approaches. As regards illicit
traffic by aircraft, several States report the training of airline
personnel in order to prevent drug smuggling.
63. The challenge posed by illicit drug traffic by sea and the
difficulties in countering it were the subject of the Working Group on
Maritime Cooperation, convened by the Executive Director of UNDCP pursuant
to Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 9 (XXXVII). At the two meetings
held in 1994 and 1995, the Working Group developed recommendations to
enhance global implementation of article 17 of the 1988 Convention, which
were subsequently endorsed at the thirty-eighth session of the Commission
on Narcotic Drugs. The States members of the Council of Europe have
concluded the Agreement on Illicit Traffic by Sea, Implementing Article 17
of the 1988 Convention.
IX. UNITED NATIONS DECADE AGAINST DRUG ABUSE,
COVERING THE YEARS 1991-2000
64. The high priority attached by Member States to the speedy
implementation of the Global Programme of Action was emphasized in the
Political Declaration that accompanies the Global Plan of Action in the
annex to General Assembly resolution S-17/2. In order to give expression
to this sense of urgency within a time-frame for action, the Assembly, in
the Political Declaration, proclaimed the period from 1991 to the year 2000
the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse, to be devoted to effective
and sustained national, regional and international action to promote the
implementation of the Global Programme of Action.
65. An international conference on "Sports against drugs", jointly
organized by UNDCP and the International Olympic Committee within the
context of the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse was held at Rome on
20 and 21 February 1995 to review the status of knowledge and existing
experience on the use of sports as a means of reducing the illicit demand
for drugs. The Conference was addressed by international experts and
world-famous athletes and was attended by representatives from United
Nations bodies and agencies, national Olympic Committees, the international
media, government authorities and NGOs.
66. The second International Private Sector Conference on Drugs in the
Workplace and the Community took place at Porto Alegre, Brazil, from 24 to
26 April 1995. Organized by UNDCP, in collaboration with ILO and the
Social Service for Industry of Rio Grande do Sul, the event was attended by
84 participants from 16 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean,
Europe and North America, representing enterprises, unions and NGOs. The
Conference aimed at promoting close interaction in the area of drug-abuse
prevention between representatives of the business world and other
components of society.
67. The Drug Abuse Prevention Centre in Tokyo has undertaken to hold a
series of public awareness and fund-raising campaigns throughout Japan each
year during the Decade against Drug Abuse. Funds received so far have been
used to establish a special fund to support activities to prevent drug
abuse organized by NGOs in developing countries. In 1994, this fund
supported 30 small projects; a further 30 grants have been approved for the
current year. It is hoped that US$ 500,000 can be raised for UNDCP in each
remaining year of the Decade.
68. As part of its Goodwill Ambassador Programme, UNDCP will appoint a
Champion Sumo Wrestler in October 1995. UNDCP continues to count on the
services of other Goodwill Ambassadors such as the internationally renowned
Chung Trio, which promoted awareness of the problem of drug abuse and
activities of UNDCP by concert appearances in different countries, or the
Tahuichi Aguilera Football Academy of Bolivia, which encourages young
people to adopt a drug-free healthy lifestyle by involvement in sports.
69. On the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, the network of United Nations information
services or centres and UNDCP field offices distributed brochures,
leaflets, video cassettes and posters. Three television spots containing
drug-awareness messages by United States athlete Carl Lewis were broadcast
world wide. Many Member States produced videos, posters, T-shirts or other
material to mark the observance of the International Day. Messages by the
Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Executive Director of UNDCP
were disseminated. At the national level, statements made by ministers
responsible for drug-control matters received wide attention.
X. RESOURCES AND STRUCTURE
70. In adopting the Global Programme of Action, the General Assembly
decided that higher priority should be accorded, within the United Nations
system, to the allocation of the necessary financial, personnel and other
resources for drug-control activities. For the United Nations proper, the
Assembly recognized the need for additional resources in the expectation
that that would be reflected in the higher priority accorded to drug-
control activities in the medium-term plan for the period 1992-1997 and in
the corresponding biennial budgets.
71. The budget of UNDCP has two separate and complementary parts: the
regular budget concerned with treaty implementation and legal affairs; and
the Fund budget supported by voluntary contributions and geared to assist
developing countries in drug control. UNDCP headquarters is funded from
both the regular budget and the budget of the Fund. In addition, the
budget of the Fund covers the costs of the field office network and project
activities in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East and
Latin America and the Caribbean. The total budget for the biennium 1994-
1995 amounts to $205.3 million, of which $190.6, or 92.8 per cent, is
funded from voluntary contributions under the budget of the Fund and $14.7
million, or 7.2 per cent, from the regular budget of the United Nations.
The main share of the voluntary funds, namely $161.7 million, was utilized
to fund approximately 300 projects in 50 countries. The largest share of
spending is in Latin America and the Caribbean, followed by Asia and the
Pacific. A smaller share of projects is implemented in Africa, Central
Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The expenditure for the Fund is
not likely to reach the budget targets for 1994-1995, with expenditure for
1994 amounting to $73.1 million. For the biennium 1996-1997, the budget
outline for the Fund amounts to $151.2 million, reflecting a decrease in
real terms of 26.2 per cent. The substantial reduction is necessitated by
a decrease in available resources caused by a gradual depletion of the Fund
balance and a projected overall decline in voluntary contributions.
72. UNDCP instituted a number of new administrative and structural
arrangements during the biennium 1994-1995. In May 1995, UNDCP introduced
on a provisional basis a policy for the rotation of staff between
headquarters and field offices. The policy aims at ensuring that UNDCP is
staffed in the most effective manner whereby each staff member can
contribute his or her best to the objectives of the Programme. In June
1995, the rationalization of the accounting and treasury functions for
UNDCP was approved by the Under-Secretary-General for Administration and
Management, based on proposals elaborated by UNDCP. Within the Programme,
the Office for External Relations, Strategic Planning and Evaluation was
established in June 1995, bringing together the former Policy, Planning and
Evaluation Office and the Resources Mobilization and Inter-agency
Coordination Office. Decentralization of responsibilities from
headquarters to the field was approved with the establishment in July 1995
of project review committees in the Regional Centre, Thailand, for the
South-East Asian region and in the Regional Office, Barbados, for the
Caribbean region.
Notes
1/ Official Records of the United Nations Conference for the Adoption of
a Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances, vol. I (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.94.XI.5).
2/ United Nations Treaty Series, vol. 1019, No. 14956.
-----