International Narcotics Control Board concludes 135th session, expresses concern about situations in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Myanmar

In the course of its deliberations, the Board examined the drug control and related humanitarian situations facing a number of countries.

The Board remains extremely concerned over reports of ongoing large-scale opium poppy cultivation and opium production in Afghanistan and underscores that comprehensive efforts must be undertaken to support alternative livelihoods for those involved in cultivation and production of opium poppy. The Board also noted the urgent need to improve prevention and treatment for all people who use drugs, in particular women. Acknowledging the current political and socioeconomic challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan, exacerbated by the environmental and humanitarian emergencies in the country, the Board calls upon the international community to continue to support the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of humanitarian aid, including essential medicines.

In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, the Board noted with grave concern reports by the World Health Organization indicating the targeting of civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, and calls upon all parties to the conflict to ensure the protection of the country’s health infrastructure and not to impede the delivery of medical care and provisions.

The Board also noted with concern reports by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime that production and trafficking of synthetic drugs in Myanmar had reached record levels in 2021 and that organized crime syndicates and armed groups had exploited the pandemic and political instability, including in the border areas of Myanmar, to expand drug production.

The Board reviewed the situation surrounding the surge in coca bush cultivation and illicit cocaine manufacture and trafficking and expressed its concern about the growing threat to health and well-being posed by the increased availability of cocaine at higher levels of purity.

During the session, INCB analyzed the trend to legalize the non-medical use of cannabis, which will be the focus of a thematic chapter of the INCB 2022 Annual Report, to be released in March 2023. The Board also finalized a special report on the availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes to be issued as a supplement to its 2022 Annual Report. Consultations were held with the President of the Economic and Social Council and representatives of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the World Customs Organization and Interpol.

Source: United Nations Information Service Vienna (UNIS)