19th plenary meeting

30 April 1982

Co-operation with the International Narcotics Control Board concerning schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances

The Economic and Social Council,

Noting with deep concern the increasing diversion from international commerce of psychotropic substances controlled under schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, notably amphetamine, methamphetamine and methaqualone,

Commending the International Narcotics Control Board for the manner in which it is actively carrying out its mandate under the 1971 Convention with a view to promoting effective international control,

Bearing in mind the observations made by the Board in its report for 1981 concerning the international situation and the need for action by Governments,

Recalling the need for Governments to apply strictly to schedule II substances the export and import authorization system provided for in article 12, paragraph 1 of the 1971 Convention,

1. Invites the International Narcotics Control Board to continue to monitor international trade substances listed in schedule II of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, to maintain dialogues with Governments, and to exercise its good offices with a view to facilitating the earliest possible identification of instances of significant diversion and the prompt adoption of measures to curtail such diversion;

2. Invites Governments to co-operate with the Board and provide it promptly with the information it requests in order to enable it effectively to monitor international trade and identify diversion of schedule II substances;

3. Also invites Governments of importing countries to send to Governments of exporting countries copies of import certificates, as was suggested by the Board in its report for 1981;

4. Appeals to manufacturing/exporting countries to refrain from exporting schedule II substances in the event of the Board advising them that a suspicious pattern exists until further inquiries establish the legitimacy of the purposes for which the shipment is intended;

5. Reminds Governments of the need, in pursuance of article 12, paragraph 3, subparagraph (a), of the 1971 Convention, to exercise in free ports and zones the same supervision and control of schedule II substances as is applied in other parts of their territories;

6. Calls attention to the possibility of Governments availing themselves of the protection against the import of unwanted substances afforded by article 13 of the 1971 Convention and to the need to implement the necessary measures to ensure that no exports of such substances to the prohibiting countries take place;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to all Governments for urgent consideration and action as appropriate.