Global perspective Human stories

UN panel to examine effect of drugs on family, street-level crime and violence

UN panel to examine effect of drugs on family, street-level crime and violence

The effect of drugs on crime and violence at the family and street-level will be the focus of a United Nations panel during its current session, already underway in Vienna.

The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which monitors worldwide drug abuse and trafficking, opened its 77th session yesterday and is also expected to examine the effect of drugs on crime and violence in its 2003 annual report.

During its current session, set to run through 6 June, the Board is also scheduled to review the results of missions to Algeria, Cambodia, Colombia, Czech Republic, Fiji, India, Laos, Mali, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Poland and Viet Nam. The missions themselves were undertaken to obtain first-hand information on the national drug control situation and on the implementation of the international drug control treaties in those countries.

The Board will also review the extent to which governments in El Salvador, Ireland, Paraguay, Russian Federation and Senegal have implemented recommendations made to them pursuant to missions undertaken by the experts during 2000.

The INCB is an independent body established by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to monitor Governments' compliance with the international drug control treaties. Its 13 members are elected by the UN Economic and Social Council to serve in their individual capacities for a term of five years.