19th plenary meeting

30 April 1982

Demand and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1979/8 of 9 May 1979, 1980/20 of 30 April 1980, 1981/8 of 6 May 1981, and Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 1 (XXIX) of 11 February 1981, entitled "Strategy and policies for drug control",

Taking note of the supplement to the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1980, entitled Demand and Supply of Opiates for Medical and Scientific Needs, and of the recommendations contained therein,

Reaffirming that a world-wide balance is essential between the supply of opiate raw materials and the demand for opiates for medical and scientific purposes,

Noting with satisfaction that a number of major importing, manufacturing and consuming countries have responded positively to the above-mentioned resolutions,

Concerned that large stocks of opiate raw materials held by the traditional supplier countries constitute a heavy financial and other burden for them,

1. Urges the Governments of those countries that have not already done so to take effective steps to implement the above-mentioned resolutions, and also to consider taking other steps, including those recommended by the International Narcotics Control Board, to achieve a world-wide balance between demand and supply of opiates for medical and scientific purposes;

2. Appeals to Governments which have not cultivated papaver bracteatum to consider possibilities for refraining from embarking on the commercial cultivation of papaver bracteatum;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to all Governments, inviting them to bring it to the attention of their competent authorities.