Tighter controls on synthetic stimulants urged - 40th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs

UN Chronicle, Summer, 1997

Groundwork for 1998 General Assembly Session

Admitting that the battle with drug traffickers was far from won, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs ended its fortieth session (Vienna, 18-27 March) with a call for concerted international commitment to a "forward-looking drug strategy for the twenty-first century".

Two resolutions approved for submission to the Economic and Social Council this year reflected delegates' deep concern at the escalating threat to human health and welfare from synthetic, amphetamine-type drugs, including "Ecstasy" and "Speed". Closer and more comprehensive monitoring of chemicals used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs was called for, as was enforcement by States of criminal penalties to reflect the acute threat posed to individual and public health by such substances.

In the discussion, most delegations had expressed dismay at the trend whereby amphetamine-type stimulant abuse was becoming part of "mainstream consumer culture" in many regions of the world. A broad range of measures called for tougher criminal, civil and administrative sanctions against offenders, and for further limits to the availability of so-called "precursors" for clandestine manufacture and closer monitoring of drug-related information, including removal of drug-production instructions from the Internet.

Positions differed widely over recent action of a few States to liberalize their drug laws or de-penalize drug abuse, and on experimental programmes under which heroin and other narcotics are prescribed to drug addicts. Critics saw such schemes as having a harmful impact on public attitude towards drug taking, and even undermining the international drug control system itself.

According to one report before the Commission, the economic incentives of synthetic drug production, which generates profits of up to 3,000 per cent on the cost of raw materials, are strong. Manufacturers can set up their "kitchens" close to the point of consumption, thereby cutting out long supply chains and reducing the risks of detection. "Recipes" for the stimulants in question are now freely available on the Internet and users are less aware of the dangers of the substances produced than those of heroin and cocaine.

A second report said abuse of amphetamines, cannabis and opiates seemed to be on the increase, and abuse of cocaine and hallucinogens had stabilized at a high level. The report, based mainly on data submitted by Governments and supplemented, where available, with other official data, conceded that, as drug abuse is a somewhat private and secretive act, the numbers of drug abusers given in the report were conservatively estimated.

Cannabis, it said, was the most frequently reported drug of abuse in all regions of the world and the most prevalent drug among the general population. The number of users of amphetamine-type drugs, which suppress sensations of hunger and fatigue, and can lead to malnutrition and collapse, was estimated at 6 million in the 37 reporting countries.

Several countries had reported increased drug abuse among young people, with initiation into drug abuse taking place at a younger age. While schools appear to be playing the largest role in drug prevention, street children and school drop-outs were recognized as being at the highest risk for drug abuse. Most countries reported that they did not have an articulated treatment policy and the least-addressed aspect of demand reduction appeared to be social reintegration of former drug users.

The Commission also approved a number of other texts, dealing with: efforts to combat the illicit traffic by sea of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; measures to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of criminals involved in organized drug-trafficking groups; the under-availability of opiates for legitimate medical and scientific needs; regional and global demand reduction strategies; and ways to ensure adequate financing for United Nations drug control efforts in the face of an increasing demand for resources to fight illicit trafficking.

Special session

The last two days of the Commission's session were devoted to drawing up a far-reaching agenda for a special session of the General Assembly, which will take place in New York for three days in June 1998. The Assembly decided last year to convene the special session in order to review global drug control strategy in light of recent developments. It is intended as an opportunity for the international community to renew its commitment to the fight against the worldwide drug problem and to forge an effective drug control strategy for the next century.

The Commission, which had been asked by the Assembly to act as preparatory body for the special session, decided that the 1998 meeting would focus on four major issues: how to address the growing trend towards abuse of synthetic stimulants; proposals for tightening controls over chemicals used in producing illicit drugs; efforts to combat money laundering; and ways to promote international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting drug traffickers.