28 May 1985

22nd plenary meeting

Measures against the diversion in international commerce of specific precursors, chemicals and solvents used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling that the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances oblige parties thereto to endeavour, to the best of their abilities, to apply such measures of supervision as may be practicable to substances which do not fall within the provisions of the Conventions, but which may nevertheless be used for the illicit manufacture of substances falling within those provisions,

Aware that such substances include precursors, chemicals and solvents, the ready availability of which has led to an increase in the clandestine production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in many parts of the world,

Noting that particular vigilance is desired in the case of ephedrine, ephedrol, phenyl-2-propanone, ergotamine, anthranilic acid, piperidine, ethyl ether and acetic anhydride, which are frequently used for the illicit manufacture of amphetamine, methamphetamine, (+)-Lysergide (LSD), methaqualone and phencyclidine, as well as cocaine and heroin,

Bearing in mind paragraphs 40 to 42 of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1984, in which is emphasized the need to take urgent measures, at both national and international levels, to monitor the movement of such substances in the international trade, with a view to preventing their availability for the illicit manufacture of drugs,

1. Invites Governments, particularly of those countries in which illicit drug manufacture is known to take place, and which have not already done so, to introduce, consistent with domestic laws, a licensing or monitoring system for the supply and import of such precursors, chemicals and solvents used in the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, or to prohibit the import of those substances where there is no licit need for them;

2. Further invites the Governments of countries in which such substances are manufactured, the Governments of countries which import them, and the Governments of countries in which illicit drugs are manufactured to monitor international trade in those substances and to co-operate closely and exchange information promptly with regard to abnormal shipments which give rise to suspicion; to inform their law enforcement services of the existence of such information exchange programmes; and to keep the International Narcotics Control Board notified, accordingly;

3. Recommends that Governments should seize any such substances, as well as any equipment used in, or intended for use in, any of the offences referred to in article 36 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and article 22 of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances;

4. Invites all Governments to supply to the Board and to concerned Governments, on a voluntary basis, such information as can be obtained on ephedrine, ephedrol, phenyl-2-propanone, ergotamine, anthranilic acid, piperidine, ethyl ether and acetic anhydride which may be useful for the detection and prevention of diversion;

5. Decides to include this question in the provisional agenda for the next regular session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs;

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