19th plenary meeting

30 April 1982

International Year against Drug Abuse

The Economic and Social Council,

Having considered the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1981,

Noting with deep concern the Board's conclusion that, despite the international community's efforts to date, drug abuse throughout most of the world has not decreased - on the contrary, the situation has continued to deteriorate, afflicting more and more countries, both developing and developed, victimizing adolescents and even children, and leading to the availability of drugs of ever greater potency capable of being consumed in more hazardous ways,

Noting also the Board's call for the stimulation of action at all levels, from international to local, involving families, communities, neighbourhoods, schools, religious institutions, and public, private and voluntary associations and organizations,

Convinced that the holding within the near future of an International Year against Drug Abuse could serve as a catalyst for renewed world-wide awareness of the serious drug situation in many parts of the world and for stimulating the wide range of national and international activities required in the battle against drug abuse and illicit traffic,

Bearing in mind its resolution 1980/67 of 25 July 1980, by which it established guidelines for future international years,

1. Invites all Governments to submit, through the Secretary-General, their comments on the proposed proclamation of an International Year against Drug Abuse to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs for consideration at its thirtieth session;

2. Invites the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to transmit to the Council at its first regular session of 1983 an analysis of those comments, together with a recommendation thereon, in order that an appropriate recommendation may be submitted to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the text of the present resolution to all Governments for consideration and action as appropriate.