24 May 1983

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 1982/12 of 30 April 1982, as well as Commission on Narcotic Drugs resolution 1 (XXIX) of 11 February 1981, entitled "Strategy and policies for drug control",

Having considered the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1982,

Taking note of the report of the expert group convened by the Division of Narcotic Drugs to explore the feasibility of creation of an international buffer stock of opiate raw materials or transfer of those stocks to the manufacturers' stocks or to special stocks in the consuming countries,

Noting with concern that the traditional supplier countries continue to hold large accumulated stocks of opiate raw materials which constitute a heavy financial and other burden for them,

Recognizing the urgent need to liquidate the accumulated stocks held by the traditional supplier countries, with a view to achieving a lasting world-wide balance between demand and supply of opiates for medical and scientific purposes,

1. Urges the Governments of those countries that have not already done so to take urgent and effective steps to implement the above-mentioned resolutions;

2. Further urges the Governments of concerned producing and consuming countries to consider, after mutual consultation where necesary, implementing such measures for the disposal of excess stocks recommended in the report of the above-mentioned expert group as may be found feasible and most fruitful, and also to consider other possible measures suggested by the expert group which might contribute to an improvement in the present situation;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to all Governments for their consideration and implementation.