NCJ Number
247178
Date Published
2013
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This 2013 Annual Report of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reports on achievements and challenges in facilitating an integrated and balanced strategy for countering the world drug problem and offers recommendations for governments and international and regional organizations on how to improve the implementation of drug-related international conventions, with the goal of ensuring the availability of controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing diversion to illicit channels, illicit manufacture, trafficking, and abuse.
Abstract
Chapter 1 reviews the economic consequences of drug abuse in the areas of health, public safety, crime, productivity, and governance. It also discusses how investments in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation can produce significant benefits in terms of the health-care and crime-related costs avoided. The chapter concludes with a selection of best practices and recommendations for reducing the economic consequences of drug abuse, thereby improving social welfare. Chapter 2 reviews the functioning of the international drug control system. Topics addressed are the promotion of the consistent application of the international drug control treaties; actions taken by the INCB to ensure the implementation of the international drug control treaties; governments' cooperation with the INCB; and activities designed to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the international drug control treaties. In addition, this chapter discusses INCB efforts in the following areas: prescription drug disposal initiatives, illegal Internet pharmacies, and global developments in the non-medical uses of tramadol. Chapter 3 analyzes the status of drug control throughout the world by the following regions: the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. The concluding chapter offers recommendations on drug control to governments, the United Nations, and other relevant international and regional organizations. Appended regional and sub-regional groupings used in this annual report, as well as the current membership of the INCB