UNIS/NAR/888
3 March 2005
Media Advisory
Commission on Narcotic Drugs Meets in Vienna, 7-14 March 2005
The 48th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) will be held at the Vienna International Centre (VIC), from 7-14 March 2005, beginning each day at 10:00 hours. Given the dramatic increase in drug cultivation in Afghanistan, shifting drug trends, and new proposals regarding eradication methods, the event is going to be an attractive one for the media. The segments described below should be of particular interest to reporters covering the drug policy scene or anyone interested in what the future holds for regions where supply and demand continue to be strong.
Highlights of the 2005 Commission on Narcotic Drugs include an overview of international drug control policies, results, and future developments on the policy front. There will also be thematic debates on the HIV/AIDS problem, and a review of various responses.
The following media events will take place at the VIC:
Press Encounter: Monday, 7 March 13:10 hours. Conference Room VII, CO7
Subject: CND -- Activities and Agenda
On the opening day of the session, Monday, Ambassador Sheel Kant Sharma, Chairman, CND, Hamid Ghodse, President, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) and Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) will brief the media on the activities and agenda of the CND and international drug control policies.Press Encounter: Monday, 7 March 14:00 hours. Conference Room VII, CO7
Subject: Russia’s Role in the Global Fight Against Drugs
Alexander Fyodorov, Deputy Director, Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation will discuss the role played by Russia in the international fight against drugs. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, UNODC, will be present.Press Encounter: Monday, 7 March 15:10 hours. Conference Room VII, CO7
Subject: US Drug Control Policies -- Goals and Results
John P. Walters, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), United States of America, will address the media on US drug control policies, results, and demand reduction among young people. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, UNODC, will be present.Press Encounter: Monday, 7 March 16:00 hours CO4-27
Subject: Italy’s Role in the Global Fight Against Drugs
Alfredo Mantovano, Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Italy will discuss the role played by his Government in the global fight against drugs. Antonio Maria Costa, Executive Director, UNODC, will be present.Photographic Exhibition: Thursday, 10 March 14:00-15:00 UN/UNIDO Board Room C04
Subject: Slide Show: Front Line Report - Photographic Atlas on Narcotics
Italian journalist/photographer Alessandro Scotti will exhibit photographs depicting the real-life struggle against illicit drugs.
* *** *
