United Nations Drug Control Programme

Pradeep Bansal - LLM, NUS, Singapore

The United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) are part of the United Nations Office for Drug Control & Crime Prevention (ODCCP). The ODCCP was established to enable the UN to focus and enhance its capacity to address the interrelated issues of drug control, crime prevention, and international terrorism in all its forms.

UNDCP cooperates with several governmental and non-governmental organisations as well as with the business community. It is presently drawing up plans for a more concentrated approach to cooperation with the private sector. Its team of experts helps requesting states to become party to and give effect to the United Nations drug control conventions. UNDCP also performs laboratory services, provides training materials and can refer those in need to the appropriate medical advice.

In central, eastern and southeastern Europe, UNDCP operations have focused on developing cross-border cooperation on the basis of harmonised national drug control capacities. An important component of UNDCP activities in the region has been the establishment of a coordination mechanism for international drug control assistance to eastern Europe, the Baltic States, and the Commonwealth of Independent States. An external evaluation confirmed the need for coordination of technical assistance projects in the foreseeable future owing to the complexity of the needs of recipient countries and the number of donors involved in the target region. The UNDCP coordination mechanism has played a key role in efforts to coordinate strategies for cooperation among donor countries and international organisations in the field of drug control. The framework of the UNDCP coordination mechanism is being increasingly used in the formulation of joint strategies for UNDCP and donors and in the design and execution of technical cooperation projects and programs. This coordination mechanism is being further developed during 2000-2001. In the area of demand reduction, a multiphase regional program designed to train professionals in the treatment of drug abuse has been successfully completed, creating a core cadre of over 600 professionals and sustainable national training programs. UNDCP has continued to work with the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe in expanding its city network to encompass states of eastern Europe, with the ILO in implementing a UNDCP-funded workplace prevention program, and with the Associazione Casa Familia Rosetta in training professionals in the treatment of drug abuse.