1994 Review Released by U.N. International Narcotics Control Board

INTERNATIONAL March 1995

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) released its report for 1994 reviewing trends in the global drug trade and compliance with international treaties (United Nations Information Service, "International Narcotics Control Board Releases 1994 Report Reviewing Effectiveness of Drug Control Treaties," Feb. 17, 1995).

The report finds that current treaties governing control of drug trafficking are sufficient given the state of the illegal drug market. The treaties currently in place are the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, as amended by the 1972 Protocol; the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances; and the 1988 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

The Board did recommend that countries concentrate on adhering more closely to the provisions in the treaties and monitoring the drug trafficking scene for any changes that must be accommodated in international drug control policy.

One statement that was reiterated by the Board was that in no way do the treaties allow for non-medical use of drugs, and countries should reject any legalization proposals.

[The United Nations has limited copies of this report. For more information, contact the United Nations Criminal Justice Section (Vienna), Liaison Office in New York, 212-963-5634.]