25 May 1988

13th plenary meeting

Co-ordination of drug control activities in the African region

The Economic and Social Council,

Having examined the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1987 specifically paragraphs 125 to 139 dealing with the situation of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Africa,

Concerned that several States of the African region are not yet parties to the international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,

Also concerned at the increasing incidence of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the African region,

Considering that there is a need to strengthen the preventive arrangements and control machinery at the national and regional levels,

1. Calls upon those States of the African region that have not yet done so to accede to the existing international conventions on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to establish, within the limits of the resources available and within the structure of the Economic Commission for Africa, a focal point to be responsible for co-ordinating and promoting measures to combat drug misuse and abuse and illicit traffic in drugs within the entire African region;

3. Urges the States of the African region that have not yet done so to establish national agencies with responsibility for co-ordinating action to combat drug misuse and abuse and illicit traffic in drugs, in accordance with article 35 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, and article 21 of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971;

4. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs at its thirty-third session on the measures taken to implement the present resolution.