'In the Frontline, Iran Cannot Act Alone'.

Geographically, the location of Iran in south-west Asia is unique from a number of vantage points. Iran has 975 kilometres of common border with Afghanistan-the world's largest opium producer-and is considered as the shortest land route for drug transit to Europe.

The long-lasting civil war, poverty, lack of a central government and the availability of arms in Afghanistan, as well as the lucrative markets for illegal drug consumption in Europe, are the main factors behind drug production and trafficking in south-west Asia. Despite $789 million spent on erecting blockades and fortifications along the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the stationing there of over 30,000 law enforcement forces, efforts still seem insufficient. In addition, Iran has had 2,700 martyrs and a great number of wounded and disabled as a result. During recent years, many international and high-level officials have observed Iran's activities on its eastern borders and admired the achievements.

It has become clear that, in this campaign, the efforts of Iran acting alone are not enough to be successful. Since Mr. Pino Arlacchi became Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), the trend of cooperation between Iran and UNDCP has accelerated. Although still in its early stages, this cooperation has already made goodwill and better mutual understanding between the two parties. Appreciation of Iran's activities by the United Nations, and its contribution to reflect the realities in this connection, was a turning point in the cooperation between the Organization and Iran.

The special situation of south-west Asia necessitates that the United Nations, as the world's man coordinator in the field of anti-drug campaigns, focus its attention on Afghanistan as the main source of illegal drugs in the world and that Iran, which is in the frontline of the anti-drug war, prepares to have the highest level of cooperation with the United Nations.

The areas of cooperation could be as follows:

* Combatting drug supply by strengthening the capacities of anti-drug law enforcement agencies along Iran's common borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. What has been mentioned shows that Iran cannot act alone. It is impossible for Iran by itself to combat the well-equipped and armed drug trafficking gangs. UNDCP could include programmes in its comprehensive strategy for Iran to strengthen its law enforcement forces stationed along it eastern borders, in particular the training of personnel and providing the Iranian forces with more advance equipment.

* Conducting training workshops in law for judges and prosecutors. The first workshop held in Teheran was effective. In light of the importance of legal and financial matters, such seminars could play a major role in the coordination of anti-drug laws and regulations, particularly in the field of mutual legal assistance, extradition, money laundering and controlled delivery.

* Giving a more significant role in combating drug trafficking in the Iranian Customs Organization. At present the Iranian Customs Organization (ICO) has little function in the anti-drug campaign. Playing a more significant role would also entail the ICO having a more specialized staff and a data bank system to improve communications with other relevant organizations in Iran, as well as other custom organizations worldwide. The United Nations could play an important role in achieving this goal.

Point of Fact: The International Narcotics Control Board, which monitors United Nations drug control treaties, has said it welcomed and encouraged serious scientific research on the alleged medical properties of cannabis, but warned against misusing the research efforts for "blanket" legalization purposes. Should the medical usefulness of cannabis be established, it would be a drug no different from most narcotic and psychotropic substances. Cannabis prescribed for medical purposes would also be subject to licensing an other control measures under international treaties.