Call for global strategy, draft declaration to reduce drug demand.

Faced with alarming statistics that indicate insufficient progress in the fight against drug trafficking, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, at its thirty-eighth session (14-23 March, Vienna), focussed on evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of current drug control mechanisms and stepping up efforts at reducing the demand for and supply of illicit drugs.

To reduce the demand for illicit drugs, the Commission asked the UN International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) to define clearly a global strategy specifying priorities and responsibilities, and to develop a draft declaration on the demand reduction, for submission to-the Commission next year, with a view to its eventual consideration by the General Assembly.

Universal adherence wanted

The Commission called for universal adherence to the international drug control treaties before the end of the UN Decade against Drug Abuse (1991-2000), and decided to keep under consideration a proposal to convene an international conference to review progress made in drug control by Governments and the UN system.

Other measures cover such topics as the role of sports programmes in preventing drug abuse, the special problems drug abuse poses for women, increased control of money laundering, and intensifying efforts to fund alternative development.

Nineteen texts, all approved without a vote, also include calls for:

* Consideration at the Commission's next session of the question of the nonmedical uses of heroin;

* joint programmes between the UNDCP and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch in such areas as training judicial and investigative personnel, and prevention and control of money-laundering.

* Support to traditional supplier countries as part of balancing the supply and demand of opiates for medical and scientific purposes:

* Promotion of multi-agency consultations and elaboration of joint action plans among regions and organizations at the global, regional and subregional levels;

* Consideration of expertise and resources needed to strengthen scientific and technological capabilities for drug control in all regions;

* Cooperation by countries with the World Customs Organization in the field of drug control;

* Encouragement for professional groups and commercial carriers active in maritime transport to become involved in the fight against illicit drug traffic; and

* Prevention of the use of drugs for non-medical purposes.

Also, the Commission placed six additional substances under the control of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, bringing the total number of scheduled substances to 111.

New computer system

On 21 March the Commission saw a demonstration of a new computer system chat will improve the capacity of UN agencies and Governments to share information. The system will give national authorities access to relevant UN databases, reports and publications.

RELATED ARTICLE: Sports against drugs: A decisive commitment

Athletes were asked to make a decisive commitment to protect youth from drug abuse and misuse, and disseminate that message through sports events. The appeal was made by representatives of 22 National Olympic Committees, ; 6 Governments, academic institutions, UN agencies and other organizations attending the International Conference on Sports against Drugs, which convened in Rome on 20 and 21 February.

Stressing that young people--especially those living in conditions of poverty, deprivation and coming from dysfunctional families--were particularly vulnerable to narcotic and psychotropic substances, the appeal stated that the practice of sports could greatly contribute to preventing drug abuse among young people by helping them cope with difficult situations, by strengthening their self-esteem, and by transmitting the values of self-discipline, fairness and cooperation which are part of Olympic ethics.

Jointly organized by the International Drug Control Programme and the European Olympic Committees, the Conference adopted its appeal after extensive discussions on the role of sports as a means of reducing the demand for illicit drugs.