26 May 1987

14th plenary meeting

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, 1982/12 of 30 April 1982, 1983/3 of 24 May 1983, 1984/21 of 24 May 1984, 1985/16 of 28 May 1985 and 1986/9 of 21 May 1986,

Bearing in mind 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 the recommendations contained therein, as well as the special report on the same subject prepared by the Board in 1985,

Having considered the report of the Board for 1986, in particular paragraphs 38 to 42 on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific purposes, as well as the report of the Board entitled Statistics on Narcotic Drugs for 1985,

Noting that the Board again reports that supply and demand are in approximate balance,

Noting with concern that the Board has been provided with insufficient resources, and that this affects the priority given to the implementation of the request of the Economic and Social Council contained in its resolution 1986/9 of 21 May 1986,

Bearing in mind the burden already borne by the traditional supplier countries faced with the question of excessive stocks of raw materials,

Reaffirming the fundamental need for international co-operation and solidarity in the effort, consistent with the relevant provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, to maintain a balance between legitimate supply and demand of opiates and in overcoming the problem of excessive stocks,

1. Urges all Governments that have not yet done so to seriously consider ways of implementing the above-mentioned resolutions and, as far as their constitutional and legal systems permit, to bring about an expeditious improvement on the current situation;

2. Requests the International Narcotics Control Board to accord priority to the monitoring of the implementation of Council resolution 1986/9 and to report thereon to the Economic and Social Council, through the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in 1988;

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