Forty-ninth session
Agenda item 98
RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 47/97 of 16 December 1992, 48/12
of 28 October 1993 and 48/112 of 20 December 1993,
Profoundly alarmed by the magnitude of the rising trend
in drug abuse and illicit production of and trafficking in narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances that threaten the health and
well-being of millions of persons, in particular the youth, in
all countries of the world,
Gravely concerned that the illicit demand for, production
of and traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances continue
to threaten seriously the socio-economic and political systems
and the stability, national security and sovereignty of an increasing
number of States,
Deeply alarmed by the growing violence and economic power
of criminal organizations and terrorist groups that engage in
the production of, traffic in and distribution of drugs, arms
and precursors and essential chemicals, which at times places
them beyond the reach of the law, corrupting institutions, undermining
the full exercise of human rights and threatening the stability
of many societies in the world,
Fully aware that States, the relevant organizations of
the United Nations system and multilateral development banks need
to accord a higher priority to dealing with this scourge, which
undermines development, economic and political stability and democratic
institutions, and the combat against which entails increasing
economic costs for Governments and the irreparable loss of human
lives,
Convinced of the desirability of closer coordination and
cooperation among States in combating drug-related crimes, such
as terrorism, illicit arms trade and money laundering, and bearing
in mind the role that could be played by both the United Nations
and regional organizations in this respect,
Reaffirming that a comprehensive framework for international
cooperation in drug control is provided by the existing drug control
conventions, the Declaration 1/ and the Comprehensive Multidisciplinary
Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control, 2/ adopted
by the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking,
the Political Declaration and Global Programme of Action, 3/ adopted
by the General Assembly at its seventeenth special session, on
23 February 1990, the Declaration adopted by the World Ministerial
Summit to Reduce the Demand for Drugs and to Combat the Cocaine
Threat 4/ and the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Drug
Abuse Control, 5/ and stressing the need for insistent efforts
to implement them,
Recognizing the efforts of countries that produce narcotic
drugs for scientific, medicinal and therapeutic uses to prevent
the diversion of such substances to illicit markets and to maintain
production at a level consistent with licit demand in line with
the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, 6/
Acknowledging that there are links, under certain circumstances,
between poverty and the increase in the illicit production of
and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
and that the promotion of the economic development of countries
affected by the illicit drug trade requires appropriate measures,
including strengthened international cooperation in support of
alternative and sustainable development activities in the affected
areas of those countries,
Emphasizing the need for an analysis of transit routes
used by drug traffickers, which are constantly changing and expanding
to include a growing number of countries and regions in all parts
of the world,
Underlining the role of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
as the principal United Nations policy-making body on drug control
issues,
Reaffirming the leadership role of the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme as the main focus for concerted international
action for drug abuse control and commending the way in which
it has carried out the functions entrusted to it,
Recognizing that the magnitude of the drug menace requires
the formulation of strategies, approaches, objectives and enhanced
international cooperation to address more effectively the international
operations of those who deal in the illegal traffic of drugs,
arms and precursors and essential chemicals,
1. Reaffirms that the fight against drug abuse and illicit
trafficking should not in any way justify violation of the principles
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and international
law, particularly respect for the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of States and non-use of force or the threat of force
in international relations;
2. Calls upon all States to intensify their actions to
promote effective cooperation in the efforts to combat drug abuse
and illicit trafficking, so as to contribute to a climate conducive
to achieving this end, on the basis of the principles of equal
rights and mutual respect;
1. Renews its commitment to further strengthening international
cooperation and substantially increasing efforts against the illicit
production, sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances, based on the principle of shared
responsibility and taking into account experience gained;
2. Urges all States to ratify or accede to and implement
all the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs
of 1961 6/ as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 7/ the Convention
on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 8/ and the United Nations Convention
against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
of 1988; 9/
3. Calls upon all States to adopt adequate national laws
and regulations, to strengthen national judicial systems and to
carry out effective drug control activities in cooperation with
other States in accordance with those international instruments;
4. Requests the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme to continue to provide legal assistance to Member States
that request it in adjusting their national laws, policies and
infrastructure to implement the international drug control conventions,
as well as assistance in training personnel responsible for applying
the new laws;
5. Supports the focus on regional, subregional and national
strategies for drug abuse control, particularly the master-plan
approach, and urges the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme to continue to complement those strategies with effective
interregional strategies;
6. Reaffirms the danger and threat posed to civil society
by drug trafficking and its links to terrorism, money laundering
and the arms trade, and encourages Governments to deal with this
threat and to cooperate to prevent the channelling of funds to
and between those engaged in such activities;
7. Acknowledges that there are links between the illicit
production of, demand for and traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances and the economic and social conditions in the affected
countries and acknowledges the differences and diversity of the
problems in each country;
8. Calls upon the international community to provide increased
economic and technical support to Governments that request it
for programmes of alternative and sustainable development, in
countries affected by the illicit drug problem, that take fully
into account the cultural traditions of peoples;
9. Notes the strong support expressed by members of the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs for the initiatives of the United
Nations International Drug Control Programme to establish a dialogue
with multilateral development banks so that they might include
a drug control component in lending and programming activities
in interested and affected countries, and requests the Executive
Director of the Programme to inform the Commission of further
progress made in this area;
10. Stresses the need for effective action to prevent the
diversion to illicit markets of precursors and essential chemicals,
materials and equipment used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances;
11. Commends the International Narcotics Control Board
for its valuable work in monitoring the production and distribution
of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances so as to limit their
use to medical and scientific purposes, and urges increased efforts
to implement its mandate under article 12 of the United Nations
Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances concerning the monitoring of the movement of precursors
and essential chemicals;
12. Calls upon the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme to continue providing assistance to Member States that
request it in establishing or strengthening national drug detection
laboratories;
13. Encourages the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme to continue and to seek support from other relevant
agencies for its laboratory research to develop environmentally
safe methods for the eradication of illegal crops from which narcotic
drugs are obtained, in support of national drug control strategies
when requested by interested Governments and, in this context,
to promote international quality standards for such methods, and
requests it to report on progress made in this matter to the Commission
on Narcotic Drugs at its thirty-eighth session;
14. Calls upon States to consider increasing efforts to
eradicate illegal crops from which narcotic drugs are obtained
and to take full advantage of the efforts of the United Nations
International Drug Control Programme to develop environmentally
safe eradication methods;
15. Emphasizes the need to maintain the capacity of the
International Narcotics Control Board, including through the provision
of appropriate means by the Secretary-General, within existing
resources, and adequate technical support by the United Nations
International Drug Control Programme;
16. Reaffirms the importance of achieving the objectives
of the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse 1991-2000, under
the theme "A global response to a global challenge",
by Member States, the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme and the United Nations system;
17. Recommends to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs that
it consider at its thirty-eighth session, under an existing agenda
item, the documents relating to the social and economic impact
of drug abuse and control and to drugs and development submitted
to the Preparatory Committee for the World Summit for Social Development
by the Executive Director of the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme; 10/
18. Welcomes the decision taken by the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs at its thirty-seventh session 11/ to request the Executive
Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme,
in cooperation with the International Narcotics Control Board
and with the support of an ad hoc intergovernmental advisory group,
to prepare an assessment of the issues covered in paragraphs 9
and 10 (a), (b), (c), (e), (i) and (j) of General Assembly resolution
48/12, as well as the issue of possible alternative funding mechanisms
for United Nations drug control activities;
19. Also welcomes the decision of the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs 11/ to examine at its thirty-eighth session the issues identified
in paragraph 10 (d), (f), (g) and (h) of General Assembly resolution
48/12;
20. Takes note with satisfaction of the decision of the
Commission on Narcotic Drugs to include in the provisional agenda
for its thirty-eighth session an item on the reduction of illicit
demand for drugs, in accordance with paragraph 10 (a) of General
Assembly resolution 48/12;
21. Invites the Economic and Social Council, while considering
the issue of international cooperation against the illicit production,
sale, demand, traffic and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances at its high-level segment of 1995, to pay special attention
to the report of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs requested in
paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 48/12;
22. Requests the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme, in its report on illicit traffic in drugs, to include
an assessment of world- wide trends in illicit traffic and transit
in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including methods
and routes used, and to recommend ways and means for improving
the capacity of States along those routes to deal with all aspects
of the drug problem;
1. Reaffirms the importance of the Global Programme
of Action as a comprehensive framework for national, regional
and international action to combat illicit production of, demand
for and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances;
2. Calls upon States to implement the mandates and recommendations
of the Global Programme of Action, with a view to translating
it into practical action for drug abuse control at the national,
regional and international levels;
3. Urges all Governments and competent regional organizations
to develop a balanced approach within the framework of comprehensive
demand reduction activities, giving adequate priority to prevention,
treatment, research, social reintegration and training in the
context of national strategic plans to combat drug abuse;
4. Calls upon the relevant United Nations bodies, the specialized
agencies, the international financial institutions and other concerned
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to cooperate
with and assist States in their efforts to promote and implement
the Global Programme of Action;
5. Welcomes the efforts made by the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs and the United Nations International Drug Control Programme
to facilitate reporting by Governments on the implementation of
the Global Programme of Action and encourages them to pursue those
efforts so as to increase the number of Governments that respond;
6. Notes efforts being made by the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme and other United Nations bodies to obtain
reliable data on drug abuse and illicit trafficking, including
the development of the International Drug Abuse Assessment System,
encourages the Programme, in cooperation with other United Nations
bodies, to take further steps to facilitate the efficient collection
of data so as to avoid duplication of effort, and encourages also
the increased and timely provision of updated information by Member
States;
7. Invites the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme to consider ways of providing assistance to Member States
that request it in their efforts to establish appropriate mechanisms
to collect and analyse data and to seek voluntary resources for
this purpose;
1. Supports the United Nations System-wide Action Plan
on Drug Abuse Control 5/ as a vital tool for the coordination
and enhancement of drug abuse control activities within the United
Nations system and requests that it be updated and reviewed on
a biennial basis with a view to continuing efforts to improve
its presentation and usefulness as a strategic tool of the United
Nations for the drug problem;
2. Reaffirms the role of the Executive Director of the
United Nations International Drug Control Programme in coordinating
and providing effective leadership for all United Nations drug
control activities so as to increase cost-effectiveness and ensure
coherence of action within the Programme as well as coordination,
complementarity and non-duplication of such activities across
the United Nations system;
3. Endorses the agreed conclusions adopted by the Economic
and Social Council at its coordination segment of 1994, 12/ regarding
coordination by the United Nations International Drug Control
Programme of drug control related policies and activities of the
United Nations system, including international financial institutions;
4. Urges the governing bodies of the United Nations organizations
associated with the United Nations System-wide Action Plan on
Drug Abuse Control to help ensure effective follow-up by including
drug control in their agendas with a view to assessing the activities
undertaken in accordance with the Plan and examining how the drug
problem is addressed in relevant programmes;
5. Invites Member States to inform the Economic and Social
Council at its high-level segment of 1995 on progress in international
cooperation, especially on specific national efforts to engage
the United Nations system and the multilateral development banks
in addressing the drug problem;
1. Welcomes the efforts of the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme to implement its mandates within the framework
of the international drug control treaties, the Comprehensive
Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control,
the Global Programme of Action and relevant consensus documents;
2. Urges all Governments to provide the fullest possible
financial and political support to the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme, in particular by increasing voluntary
contributions to the Programme, to enable it to expand and strengthen
its operational and technical cooperation activities;
3. Invites Governments and the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme to consider ways and means of improving
the coordination of United Nations drug control-related activities;
4. Welcomes the work of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
at its reconvened thirty-sixth session on the programme budget
of the Fund of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme,
in accordance with the mandate contained in section XVI, paragraph
2, of General Assembly resolution 46/185 C of 20 December 1991;
5. Notes with appreciation the efforts made by the Executive
Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme
to comply with the approved format and methodology of the programme
budget of the Fund, in accordance with relevant resolutions of
the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the General Assembly and
the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative
and Budgetary Questions, and encourages the Executive Director
to continue his efforts to improve the presentation and transparency
of the budget;
6. Stresses the importance of the meetings of heads of
national law enforcement agencies, and encourages them to consider
ways to improve their functioning and to strengthen their impact
so as to enhance cooperation in the fight against drugs at the
regional level;
1. Takes note of the reports of the Secretary-General
submitted under the item entitled "International drug control";
13/
2. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To submit an updated report to the General Assembly at its fifty- first session on the status of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances;
(b) To include in his annual report on the implementation of the Global Programme of Action recommendations on ways and means to improve implementation and provision of information by Member States.
94th plenary meeting
23 December 1994
1/ See Report of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking, Vienna, 17-26 June 1987 (United Nations publication,
Sales No. E.87.I.18), chap. I, sect. A.
2/ Ibid., sect. B.
3/ Resolution S-17/2, annex.
4/ A/45/262, annex.
5/ See A/49/139-E/1994/57.
6/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 520, No. 7515.
7/ Ibid., vol. 976, No. 14152.
8/ Ibid., vol. 1019, No. 14956.
9/ United Nations publication, Sales No. E.91.XI.6.
10/ See A/CONF.166/PC/20/Add.2.
11/ See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994,
Supplement No. 10 (E/1994/30), chap. XI, resolution 3 (XXXVII).
12/ See A/49/3, chap. III, sect. B.
13/ A/49/139-E/1994/57, A/49/317, A/49/345 and A/49/369.