With a history of nearly a century, the international drug control Conventions are among the oldest international Conventions ratified by most countries. Their original, and continuing, purpose is to secure a balance between the appropriate use of narcotic analgesics and psychotropic drugs and their undesirable effects such as abuse and dependence.

National legislation is guided by these international obligations and the cornerstone of the Conventions is therefore to limit the use of these drugs to medical and scientific purposes. Over recent years the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has brought to the attention of governments that, in addition to international control of production, manufacture and trade, other measures, particularly demand reduction, need to be promoted and advanced, if substance abuse and dependence are to be prevented.

In 1992, INCB included in its annual report a special chapter which covers contemporary and topical issues related to its mandate. Governments, international organizations and NGOs have been encouraged to suggest topics for the chapter with final selection of the chosen theme reflecting the most relevant issue of the day. The Board and its secretariat then painstakingly prepared, debated and revised various drafts of the chapter prior to its inclusion in the Annual Report. Expert advice has been sought and consultation with appropriate international organizations has also been part of the process.

Since its introduction 17 years ago, the thematic first chapter of the Annual Report has attracted much attention and has been welcomed by governments and by those working in the field of addressing drug abuse problems. It has also made a significant contribution to public and academic debate about the whole range of drug problems and responses to them.

Thematic chapters listed chronologically from 1992 to 2006 (all) 

(pls. click on links below to read a brief summary of each chapter)

(1992) Legalization of Internationally Controlled Drugs

(1993) Demand Reduction

(1994) Evaluation of the International Conventions

(1995) Giving More Priority to Combating Money-Laundering

(1996) Drug Abuse and the Criminal Justice System

(1997) Preventing Drug Abuse in an Environment of Illicit Drug Promotion

(1998) Internationally Controlled Drugs: Past, Present and the Future

(1999) Freedom from Pain and Suffering

(2000) Overconsumption of Internationally Controlled Drugs

(2001) Globalization and New Technologies: Challenges to Drug Law Enforcement in the Twenty-first Century

(2002) Illicit Drugs and Economic Development

(2003) Drugs, Crime and Violence: The Micro level Impact

(2004) Integration of Supply and Demand Strategies: Moving beyond a Balanced Approach

(2005) Alternative Development and Legitimate Livelihoods

(2006) Internationally Controlled Drugs and the Unregulated Market