Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 Source: Kathmandu Post, The (Nepal) Copyright: 2003 Kathmandu Post Contact: http://www.nepalnews.com.np/ktmpost.htm Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/222 SAARC TO ADOPT LEGISLATION FOR DRUGS CONTROL KATHMANDU, July 28 : The seven-member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will soon adopt an effective national precursor control legislation and procedures to combat drug problem. The legislation and procedures will be discussed at a three-day conference beginning today on "Precursor Control in SAARC Region: Challenges and Response" of the national competent authorities of SAARC countries dealing with precursor issues. This comes at a time when SAARC has already identified the alarming increase in illegal sale of prescribed drugs by chemists and druggists and their abuse by people in general. "Controlling drugs abuse has become a common problem in every country, and is a highly challenging task," said Sarbendra Nath Shukla, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation. "I hope this conference will identify critical issues in the areas of precursor control and suggest practical measures for collaboration at different levels of society, state and the region." He also said that it was necessary for SAARC countries to immediately set up adequate training facilities to train law enforcement personnel in precursor control matters. It has been identified that major substances being trafficked from the region are opium, hashish and cannabis as well aspharmaceutical preparations such as methaqualone, buprenophine and codeine-based syrups, said a statement from the SAARC Secretary General. "Drug traffickers are often citizens of our region, who work for people from outside the region," the Secretary General further added. "The issue of drugs has not been a matter of serious concern to some of our member countries in the past. But we cannot rule out the possibility that all SAARC member states cooperate closely to combat this menace," read the message in part. The seminar is part of the collaboration between the United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and SAARC. SAARC as a regional organisation, adopted a regional convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in 1990 and provides for the implementation of the relevant international legal instruments and programmes for drug abuse control. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh