Item 4/INCB report

Statement by Mr.Jakob LINDBERG, Head of the Swedish Delegation

Mr. Chairman,

First of all, I would like to express our sincere appreciation of the annual report of the International Narcotics Control Board. Once again it provides a very good overview of the world-wide drug control situation. The analytical parts of the report are characterized by great integrity and are impressive in their clarity and openness. Mr.Chairman, we would also like to congratulate the distinguished President of the INCB, Dr. Scröder, on his excellent introductory remarks.

This year's INCB report demonstrates two things. Firstly, we can establish once again that the drug situation continues to be serious throughout the world. We can also establish, however, that constructive and effective efforts are being made to counteract drug trafficking and abuse. The report contains several important examples of this, and also of a growing of the unacceptable consequences of countries pursuing a drug policy that risks seriously worsening the drug situation in surrounding countries.

On the other hand, a great deal remains to be done as far as the implementation of the Conventions is concerned. We can see that where narcotics control is sufficiently strong, illicit drug trafficking takes new routes. This also shows that the drug syndicates aim for the weakest link in the chain, and proves the importance of international cooperation in the narcotics area.

The consequences of these observations appear obvious. International cooperation in this area must be further extended, respect for the international conventions must be upheld or strenghtened, the weak link in the chain are not just a problem for the countries that lack the resources to remedy them or who are deliberately allowing them to exist; the weak links in the control system are to almost the same extent a problem for all of us.

The same argument can be pursued in the precursor area. The INCB report on precursors gives several examples of successful cooperation in this area. The Swedeish Government strongly emphasizes the importance of extended and refined control of these types of chemicals.

While in some countries we see signs of a more realistic and discerning drug policy, we see at the same time how in other countries drug policy is being loosened up in a manner which, in our view, is manifestly contrary to the Conventions. The experiments with prescription of heroin to drug addicts which we have already discussed in the Committee of the Whole is an example of this. The proposal which was recently put forward in all seriousness in a European country, to make cannabis freely available throught the organized sale of it at chemist's shops, is another - and very remarkable - example. So all, indeed, the aggressive marketing of cannabis in different forms, which Dr. Schröder referred to this morning.

Regarding the INCB's discussion in the annual report on the Criminal Justice System, we have studied the descriptions with great interest and have essentially no objection to the analysis or the proposals.

However, on one important point we must for once register a dissenting opinion. This applies to what is said in the report about the efforts to combat street pushers. There is a clear position in the report in favour of countries giving priority to efforts against kingpins and key drug traffickers rather than westing reources on petty crime at street level.

The police authorities in Sweden have for many years made the opposite strategic assessment. In our experience, it is equally important to direct efforts at both these levels.

By neglecting street peddling we are allowing free scope for the street traffic that is a precondition for drug abuse and we are also giving drug pushers good opportunities to market their products in a simple way through open marketplaces. We have found essential to counteract in every way the occurrence of open drug scenes in which drugs traffic can find its customers and in which traffic can flow freely.

Today we can see how open marketplaces for drugs generate major problems both for drug abusers because of the misery caused and also for those living in the neighbourhood because of the anxiety and insecurity that arises. Moreover, experience shows that it is very difficult to retrieve an area that has developed into an open marketplace for drugs.

In its report the INCB points to the unreasonable consequences that ensue if "small-time pushers and drug users" are "putting pressure on criminal justice system by increasing prison populations and prison expenditure, as well as the cost of running law enforcement operations and the Judical system". We fully agree with that evaluation and consider the development of alternatives to prison - treatment and other alternatives - to be essential - from the point of view of general criminal policy and also of drug policy. We certainly do not appeal for more drug abusers of persons committing petty offences to be put in prison; on the contrary. However, we consider that a central element in the fight against drug abuse and drug crime is to intervene against small-scale sales also. And, in our experience, the police play an important role in these interventions, although others, for example social workers, also can make important contributions in this context.

Finally, Mr.Chairman, there is a more long-term drug policy aspect to the occurrence of open drug scenes in our towns and citis. We think we can see clear links between the occurrence of open sale of drugs and a widespread feeling of resignation in the population, which, in its turn, lead to the conviction that our drugs policy has failed and that the only remaining possibility is to legalize drugs.

Reacting strongly and clearly also to small-scale traffic is therefore, in our view, a way of safeguarding drug policy in the spirit of the Conventions.

We are convinced that this basic view is shared by the INCB, Mr.Chairman. And that conviction was in fact strengthened when we listened to Dr.Schröder's introductory remarks to-day. However, we believe that some of the formulations in the report can give rise to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, which is the reason why we have drawn attention to the matter.

Thank you, Mr.Chairman.