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.
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