30 July 1992

41st plenary meeting

Demand for 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, 1986/9 of 21 May 1986, 1987/31 of 26 May 1987, 1988/10 of 25 May 1988, 1989/15 of 22 May 1989, 1990/31 of 24 May 1990 and 1991/43 of 21 June 1991,

Emphasizing once again that achieving a balance between the licit supply of opiates and the legitimate demand for opiates for medical and scientific purposes constitutes an important aspect of the international strategy and policy of drug abuse control and that resolving the problem of excess stocks of opiate raw materials is an essential step in that direction,

Noting the fundamental need for international cooperation and solidarity in overcoming the problem of excess stocks, which has been imposing heavy financial and other burdens on the traditional supplier countries,

Having noted the valuable recommendations made by the International Narcotics Control Board in its special reports on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs,

Having considered the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1991, in particular paragraphs 81 to 88 on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs,

1. Urges all Governments to continue to give serious consideration to ways to bring about rapid improvement in solving the problem of excess stocks of opiate raw materials held by the traditional supplier countries;

2. Requests all Governments to take measures to implement the Economic and Social Council resolutions on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs, particularly in the light of the cautionary note contained in paragraph 82 of the report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 1991 to the effect that, starting in 1992, projected figures show that world production of opiate raw materials may cease to be below global consumption of opiates;

3. Commends the International Narcotics Control Board for its efforts to monitor the implementation of the recommendations contained in its special report for 1989 on the demand for and supply of opiates for medical and scientific needs, prepared in conjunction with the World Health Organization;

4. Encourages the International Narcotics Control Board to continue its informal discussions with the main producers of raw materials for opiates and the main importers about the supply and demand question during sessions of the Commission;

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