Brussels, 28/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is responsible for examining drugs control in different regions of the world. In its 2011 report, it expresses concern in several different respects, particularly with regard to the link between cause and effect -social exclusion and the abuse of narcotics, online orders for illicit drugs through cyber-pharmaceutical companies and the increasing use of chemical derivatives that are not subject to international control. This body's objective is to authorise drugs required for medical or scientific ends and to prevent the illegal traffic in these drugs.
One important chapter in the INCB report focuses on drugs related problems in fractured communities and describes these problems as “endemic”. People living in these marginalised areas are ignored by the social services and control and prevention systems. The feeling of social cohesion is almost non-existent. This situation almost inevitably leads to the consumption and illegal trafficking of narcotics. The report lists a series of recommendations to tackle this problem including prevention services, treatment and social rehabilitation, as well as introducing local police units.
Another concern of the INCB involves the increasing number of orders made on the internet for medicines and narcotics through illegal cyber-pharmaceutical companies. These companies use social networks to attract a young following and to get themselves known. The document warns about the danger of these products to public health because, according to the World Health Organisation, “more than half of all medicines coming from illegal cyber-pharmaceutical companies are counterfeit”.
The INCB also deplores the use of tailor-made chemical precursors derived from internationally controlled substances, for the illegal manufacture of amphetamines and chemical stimulants.
Finally, the report provides an insight into the situation regarding control in the different regions of the world. The board explains that in Europe there has been a significant rise in the cultivation and, to a lesser extent, illegal use of cannabis. Albania and Serbia remain the main sources of cannabis even though this soft drug is also transited from North Africa. Although the illegal use of cocaine has stabilised in recent years, Europe remains the second biggest cocaine market in the world. The illegal trafficking in cocaine takes root in Central and South America, is transited through North Africa and onto its subsequent main outlets of the Ukraine and the Russian Federation. The legal consumption of heroin and methylamphetamine in Europe also worries the INCB. In 2010 the organisation identified new substances, most of which were not subject to international control and which were not used for any scientific or medical purposes. This further complicates their detection and control. (SD/transl.fl)