NCJ Number
66867
Date Published
1979
Length
53 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD FOR 1979 DESCRIBES THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL SYSTEM, ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFIC, SPECIFIC COUNTRIES' PROBLEMS AND ACTIONS, AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES.
Abstract
GOAL OF THE BOARD IS TO PROMOTE COMPLIANCE WITH VARIOUS DRUG CONTROL TREATIES AND TO PREVENT CULTIVATION, PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURE, TRAFFICKING, AND USE OF ILLICIT DRUGS BEYOND THEIR MEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC USES. DRUGS INVOLVED INCLUDE BOTH NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES. THE INTERNATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LEGAL MOVEMENT OF NARCOTIC DRUGS IS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY. NEVERTHELESS, DRUG ABUSE IS INCREASING THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE WORLD. VICTIMS INCREASINGLY INCLUDE ADOLESCENTS AND EVEN CHILDREN. HEROIN REMAINS THE WORST PROBLEM. REDUCTION OF THE SUPPLY OF ILLICIT OPIUM AND OPIATES REQUIRES RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND INCOME ASSISTANCE FOR POPPY FARMERS. FURTHERMORE, NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS MUST CHOOSE METHODS OF DRUG DESTRUCTION WITHIN THEIR COUNTRIES. GOVERNMENTS SHOULD TRY TO PREVENT DIVERSION OF ACETIC ANHYDRIDE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HEROIN. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ARE AT PARTICULAR RISK FOR NONMEDICAL USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES. ALTHOUGH SOME PROGRESS HAS BEN MADE TOWARD ESTABLISHING CONTROL OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES, GOVERNMENTS NOT YET PARTIES TO THE 1971 CONVENTION ON PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES SHOULD BECOME PARTIES. GOVERNMENT CONTROL EFFORTS SHOULD FOCUS ON ORGANIZED CRIME AND ON FINANCIERS OF ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING. WORLDWIDE COORDINATION IS NEEDED TO PRODUCE MAXIMUM IMPACT ON THE DRUG ABUSE SITUATION. BOTH BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL FUNDING FOR SUCH EFFORTS ARE NEEDED. ANALYSES OF SPECIFIC COUNTRIES AND REGIONS, FOOTNOTES, AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)