21 June 1991

15th plenary meeting

Prevention of diversion from international trade into illicit channels of psychotropic substances listed in Schedules III and IV of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971

The Economic and Social Council,

Noting with concern the widespread and increasing abuse of psychotropic substances in many countries and the related trafficking, which often involves diversion from licit channels,

Alarmed by the large quantities of substances listed in Schedules III and IV of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 that have been diverted from international trade into illicit channels,

Recognizing that the present control mechanisms for international trade set forth in the Convention require further strengthening if diversion into illicit channels of substances listed in Schedules III and IV is to be prevented,

Recalling targets 8 and 10 of the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control,

Taking note of the Political Declaration and Global Programme of Action adopted by the General Assembly at its seventeenth special session, with particular reference to the control of the supply of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,

Reiterating its request, contained in its resolutions 1985/15 of 28 May 1985 and 1987/30 of 26 May 1987, to all Governments, to the extent possible, voluntarily to extend the system of import and export authorizations provided for in article 12, paragraph 1, of the Convention to cover international trade in substances listed in Schedules III and IV,

Recalling its resolution 1981/7 of 6 May 1981, in which it invited all Governments to assess from time to time their medical and scientific requirements for substances listed in Schedule II of the Convention,

Noting with satisfaction that the system of assessment of annual medical and scientific requirements for substances listed in Schedule II of the Convention has contributed effectively to the prevention of diversion of those substances from licit international trade into illicit channels,

Having considered the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1990, in particular paragraph 38, concerning the successful operation of the simplified estimate system with regard to substances listed in Schedule II of the Convention,

1. Invites all Governments to extend the system of voluntary assessments of annual medical and scientific requirements for substances listed in Schedule II to include also substances listed in Schedules III and IV of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971;

2. Calls upon importing countries to exercise continuing vigilance to ensure that imports of psychotropic substances are in accordance with requirements for medical and scientific purposes and to cooperate with exporting countries and with the International Narcotics Control Board in order to prevent the diversion of such substances into illicit channels;

3. Invites all Governments to communicate from time to time their assessments of annual medical and scientific requirements for substances listed in Schedules III and IV of the Convention to the International Narcotics Control Board for publication, with a view to providing guidance for manufacture and export;

4. Further invites all Governments to develop mechanisms to ensure that exports of psychotropic substances are in line with importing countries' assessments and, if necessary, to consult with the Governments of such countries or with the International Narcotics Control Board on such matters;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the present resolution to all Governments and to invite them to bring it to the attention of the competent national authorities in order to ensure the implementation of its provisions.