22 May 1989

12th plenary meeting

Demand and supply of opiates for medical and scientific purposes

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, 1986/9 of 21 May 1986, 1987/31 of 26 May 1987 and 1988/10 of 25 May 1988,

Emphasizing once again the central role of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, in the control of the production of and trade in opiates,

Reaffirming the need to maintain a balance between the supply of and demand for opiate raw materials for medical and scientific purposes which is an important element in the international control strategy and policy on drug abuse control,

Concerned that the traditional supplier countries continue to face financial and other burdens as a result of their large stocks of opiate raw materials,

Emphasizing once again the fundamental need for international co-operation and solidarity to overcome the problem of excess stocks,

Having considered the section of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1988 on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs,

1. Urges all Governments to give serious consideration to ways of resolving the problem of excess stocks and bringing about rapid improvement;

2. Commends the International Narcotics Control Board for its efforts and requests it to pursue the early finalization and implementation of the project, referred to in paragraph 40 of its report, which would assess legitimate needs for opiates in various regions of the world hitherto unmet because of insufficient health care, difficult economic situations or other conditions;

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