International Narcotics Control Board in 2003

Reports published by the International Narcotics Control Board in 2003 The Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2003 (E/INCB/2003/1) is supplemented by the following technical reports: Narcotic Drugs: Estimated World Requirements for 2004; Statistics for 2002 (E/INCB/2003/2) Psychotropic Substances: Statistics for 2002; Assessments of Annual Medical and Scientific Requirements for Substances in Schedules II, III and IV (E/INCB/2003/3) Precursors and Chemicals Frequently Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances: Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2003 on the Implementation of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 (E/INCB/2003/4) The updated lists of substances under international control, comprising narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and substances frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, are contained in the latest editions of the annexes to the statistical forms (“Yellow List”, “Green List” and “Red List”), which are also issued by the Board. Contacting the International Narcotics Control Board The secretariat of the Board may be reached at the following address: Vienna International Centre Room E-1339 P.O. Box 500 A-1400 Vienna Austria In addition, the following may be used to contact the secretariat: Telephone: + (43) (1) 26060 Telex: 135612 Fax: + (43) (1) 26060-5867 or 26060-5868 Cable: unations vienna E-mail: [email protected] The text of the present report is also available on the Internet at the web site of the Board (www.incb.org). title page E/INCB/2003/1 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.04.XI.1 ISBN 92-1-148172-4 ISSN 0257-3717 E/INCB/2003/1 Foreword In a continuation of its study of the impact of drugs on society, the International Narcotics Control Board, in the first chapter of its report for 2003, reviews the relationship between drug abuse, crime and violence at the microlevel. The impact of drugs, crime and violence at that level is equally important as, and deeply connected with, the macro-impact of transnational illegal drug markets. At the microlevel, drug abuse is often linked with antisocial behaviour such as delinquency, crime and violence and has negative consequences for individuals, families, neighbourhoods and communities that need to be addressed by the international community and individual Governments. Several factors are regarded as contributing to the link between drug abuse, crime and violence, such as the type of drug involved, the amounts of it that are abused, the person abusing the drug and the environment in which the drug is taken. The emergence of the abuse of crack cocaine has been associated with a rise in crime and violence in many cities throughout the world. The abuse of some other drugs has been similarly associated with crime and violence. In some instances, violence is committed by the drug abuser in order to generate income to purchase drugs and is also often associated with the illicit traffic in drugs. The review by the Board shows that the relatively small group of serious and violent offenders who are drug abusers accounts for a disproportionate amount of all serious crime committed by delinquents. The review also shows that a large number of young people who are involved in drugs and violent behaviour often grow out of that violence and drug abuse once they reach adulthood. Economic opportunities provided by drug trafficking can lead to rivalry among drug gangs as they compete for a larger share in the illicit market. Such rivalries frequently lead to violence, to the detriment of the local community. Violence, crime and drugs have a disproportionate impact on certain individuals and segments of society and curtail the freedom of movement of women, the elderly and children in dysfunctional communities where crime is rampant and fear of crime is widespread. Women and children who abuse drugs are at increased risk of becoming victims of violence. Law enforcement intervention has often been seen as the only viable response to violence and other crimes associated with drug abuse, but there is a need to explore other means of addressing such crimes. It is suggested that persons who abuse drugs and engage in crime and violence should be reformed through a multidisciplinary approach that includes: (a) Introducing effective drug demand reduction programmes; (b) Introducing effective and efficient policing of neighbourhoods and communities to prevent illicit drug trafficking; (c) Offering assistance to drug-dependent persons so that they can seek treatment; (d) Referring drug-dependent persons for treatment through the justice system as an alternative to incarceration; (e) Involving the community in drug abuse prevention; (f) Creating employment opportunities, thereby providing such persons with a legitimate means of earning an income. The Board addresses the issue of “harm reduction” in the second chapter of its report for 2003. In its report for 1993, the Board acknowledged the importance of certain aspects iii E/INCB/2003/1 of “harm reduction” as a tertiary prevention strategy for demand reduction purposes. That view still holds true. Any measure adopted to reduce harm associated with illicit drug use should, however, always be implemented in the context of a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the demand for illicit drugs. Such measures cannot therefore replace demand reduction programmes or be carried out at their expense. Most importantly, “harm reduction” can never be an end in itself, nor should it be the overall guiding principle behind national drug demand reduction policy. While, in principle, measures to reduce harm in drug-dependent persons should not be seen as being in contradiction with the international drug control treaties, some so-called “harm reduction” approaches are not what they seem to be in that they cause more harm than they purport to reduce. “Harm reduction” approaches should not be seen to condone or even promote drug abuse but should be seen to contribute to a reduction in the abuse of drugs. The year 2003 marked the fifth anniversary of the twentieth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to countering the world drug problem together. In April 2003, ministers and other government representatives participating in the ministerial segment of the forty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs reviewed the progress achieved since the convening of the twentieth special session of the Assembly in 1998. In their joint ministerial statement, they reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug production and trafficking. They reiterated the importance of implementing fully the international drug control treaties and safeguarding the integrity of the international drug control regime. The Board calls on Governments to implement the action plans adopted by the General Assembly at its twentieth special session. Governments should develop objective and reliable mechanisms for making effective assessments of the impact of drug policies and should implement sustainable drug supply and demand reduction programmes with both shorter- and longer-term objectives. The support that the international drug control treaties enjoy among members of civil society became evident in April 2003, when more than 1.3 million signatures of ordinary citizens from 60 countries were presented to the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Chairperson of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. At the ceremony, a former drug abuser spoke movingly about her experiences and exhorted Governments to work with non-governmental organizations and civil society to protect persons at risk of drug abuse and to promote national compliance with the international drug control treaties. The Board believes that more needs to be done to prevent drug abuse and to protect drug abusers and persons at risk of drug abuse. Governments and non-governmental organizations have roles to play in that regard. All must work together to stop the misery and pain associated with drug abuse. Philip O. Emafo President of the International Narcotics Control Board iv E/INCB/2003/1 Contents Paragraphs Page Foreword ................................................................................. iii Chapter I. Drugs, crime and violence: the microlevel impact .......................... 1-60 1 A. Characteristics and possible explanations............................. 4-7 1 B. Understanding drugs and crime ..................................... 8-23 2 C. Youth, gangs, drugs and violence ................................... 24-28 5 D. Consequences and the way forward ................................. 29-39 6 E. Responding to drugs, crime and violence at the microlevel: policy implications 40-50 8 F. Conclusion: considerations for intervention ............................ 51-60 10 II. Operation of the international drug control system ......................... 61-237 12 A. Status of adherence to the international drug control treaties ............. 61-67 12 B. Cooperation with Governments ..................................... 68-101 12 C. Prevention of diversion into the illicit traffic .......................... 102-138 17 D. Control measures ................................................ 139-155 24 E. Scope of control ................................................. 156-157 27 F. Ensuring the

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