Drug Free Australia supports the call by the President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Professor Hamid Ghodse, to ensure that we all celebrate 100 years of collaborative effort to prevent and reduce illicit drug supply across the globe.

In a formal ‘thank you’ to governments for their hard work in implementing international drug control treaties, Professor Ghodse said: “In many countries, NGOs are the backbone of demand reduction activities, staffed with highly professional and dedicated people who carry out important tasks, sometimes with little recognition and minimal financial compensation”.

“The (earlier) efforts of the international community against the world drug problem culminated in the adoption of the three international drug control treaties, in 1961, 1971 and in 1988. These Conventions remain the framework for action in international drug control today.

The control system established by the Conventions has, by and large, been successful. Today, there is:

• little diversion of manufactured narcotic drugs from licit manufacture and international trade to illicit traffic; 
• a significant decline in the consumption of barbiturates and other hypnotics as well as amphetamines.

The Conventions have also contributed towards ensuring that the supply of drugs needed for medical and scientific purposes matches demand”.

Drug Free Australia’s Executive Officer, Jo Baxter says: “With less than one month to go to the Centenary of International Drug Control, Australia should be well up-front in celebrating achievements.  We should heed Professor Ghodse’s call on governments to celebrate their effort. While there is a movement to support the human rights for drug addicted people, we need to be mindful of the human rights of the majority of people who choose not to use illicit drugs. If we get the balance wrong, our families and communities will have to forego their human rights to healthy and safe lifestyles. We must protect our right to curb drug supply, trafficking and demand and to work closely as an international community.

In March, an important review of the UN Drug Control Conventions is due to be debated. Our Federal Government Ministers will be involved and we call on them to make it clear that their support for the conventions is unwavering. The meeting, known at the High Level Segment (HLS) meeting is scheduled for 11 and 12 March in Vienna. Now is not the time to dilute effort that has taken 100 years to build”.