21 June 1991

15th plenary meeting

Control of chemicals used in the production of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs

The Economic and Social Council,

Aware that chemicals are essential to the processing of illicit drugs, that such chemicals are produced world-wide and are shipped to Latin America and that a large percentage of the chemicals are being diverted to drug cartels,

Welcoming the escalated efforts of Latin American States to restrict the import, export and production of such chemicals, as demonstrated by the model regulations to control chemical precursors and chemical substances, machines and materials, recommended by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in June 1990,

Noting that six Latin American States have incorporated the model regulations into their national legislation and that others are considering similar action,

Recognizing the importance of controlling the export of such chemicals, as illustrated by the fact that the issue of chemical control was raised at the drug summit held at Cartagena, Colombia, on 15 February 1990, and at the sixteenth annual economic summit, held at Houston, Texas, in July 1990,

Considering that the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, which entered into force on 11 November 1990, specifically deals with chemical control,

Noting that the United States of America took positive action in passing the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988, which gives its Drug Enforcement Administration the authority to stop shipments of chemicals not destined for legitimate industrial, commercial or scientific use,

Convinced that it is vital to the world-wide effort to combat drug abuse that chemicals used to process illicit drugs are controlled and monitored at their source and destination and that the resulting information is communicated to the competent authorities of the country concerned,

Bearing in mind that the Council of Ministers of the European Economic Community is currently considering a draft directive for the control of chemicals, which, if adopted, will be the standard used by each State member of the European Economic Community in developing national legislation on chemical control,

Wishing to ensure that measures to control precursor chemicals are both specific and comprehensive in designating the chemicals subject to monitoring and control, including, for example, 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone) and potassium permanganate,

1. Urges all Governments that have not approved legislation for the control and monitoring of precursors and essential chemicals to do so as soon as possible, using as one of their references the model regulations to control chemical precursors and chemical substances, machines and materials recommended by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States in June 1990;

2. Urges States that are the main producers of precursors and essential chemicals in Europe and elsewhere to work with the International Narcotics Control Board and heads of national drug law enforcement agencies in drafting and enacting suitably comprehensive laws, taking into account the model regulations recommended by the Organization of American States;

3. Requests the relevant United Nations entities and the competent regional and interregional organizations to make available the funds and support required for the provision of training in the application of regulations for the control and monitoring of precursors and essential chemicals, as well as resources for establishing specialized offices in that field.