For information only - not an official document
UNIS/NAR/1286
15 July 2016
VIENNA/BANGKOK, 15 July (UN Information Service) - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) today held a national awareness raising workshop in Bangkok, Thailand on the availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes. The workshop brought together regulatory and law enforcement authorities of Thailand, health care professionals and civil society, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community, to discuss the importance of ensuring adequate access to medicines for pain management and the treatment of mental health and other conditions.
Dr. Viroj Sumyai, Second Vice-President of the Board, presented the INCB Availability Report at the event, which was held at the Office of the Narcotics Control Board of Thailand. Dr. Sumyai highlighted the need for training and awareness raising on the subject of availability, which was also called for by the United Nations General Assembly at its special session on the world drug problem in April this year, and for international cooperation to support such activities.
The awareness raising workshop followed an INCB training seminar for South and East Asia and the Pacific national authorities responsible for the implementation of the international drug control conventions which took place in Bangkok from 12-15 July. Both activities are part of the global INCB Learning project launched in early 2016 to provide technical assistance to Member States in complying with the provisions of the international drug control conventions in the regulatory control of the licit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals. The ultimate goal of the project is to ensure the appropriate availability of internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their abuse and diversion to illicit channels. The project is funded by the governments of the United States and Australia.
A similar training seminar and awareness raising workshop were successfully implemented earlier this year in Nairobi, Kenya. The global INCB Learning project also includes the production of e-learning modules on the reporting requirements of the drug conventions, as well as the development of a web interface to allow the general public and academia open access to INCB data currently made available through its publications. The further development of the global INCB Learning project will depend on further support from Member States.
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INCB is the independent, quasi-judicial body mandated to promote and monitor Government compliance with the three international drug control conventions: the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Established by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, the thirteen members of the Board are elected in a personal capacity by the Economic and Social Council for terms of five years.
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For further information, please contact:
Global INCB Learning project
Telephone for inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4458
Email:
learning@incb.org
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email:
secretariat@incb.org
Website:
www.incb.org
