Mission to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
The INCB carried out a mission in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from 8 to 11 December 2014. Dr. Lochan Naidoo, President of the INCB, was accompanied by Mr. Stefano Berterame of the INCB Secretariat. The objective of the mission was to review the progress made by Venezuela in the implementation of the implementation of the three international drug control conventions since the last mission that took place in 2001.
The mission was coordinated by the National Anti-Drug Office (Oficina National Antidrogas - ONA) which is the body with the responsibility to coordinate all actions and interventions related drug control and prevention in the Venezuela. The mission met with senior officials from Interior, Health and Foreign Affairs as well as with the Attorney General. In addition, the mission received briefings from the Forensic Department (Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas - CICPC); the Antidrugs Command of the Bolivarian National Guard (Comando Antidrogas de la Guardia Nacional Bolivariana - GNB); the National Registry of Operators of Controlled Chemical Substances (Registro Nacional Único de Operadores de Sustancias Químicas Controladas - RESQUIMC) and the Customs Authority - Servicio Autonómo Integrado de Administración Aduanera y Tributaria - SENIAT.
The mission visited the Centre of Air Control and Command that monitors air trafficking and intercept illegal flights used by drug traffickers and a drug incineration hoven. The mission also visited counselling centers and outpatient treatment centers as well primary prevention activities supported by ONA such as (see photo) those of the national orchestra and choir system and the national theatre movement for children and youth.
The President of the INCB discussed with government representatives the efforts made by the country to fight illicit trafficking of drugs and precursors chemicals as well as the large investments made by the Government of Venezuela in prevention and treatment services and in broader poverty reduction and other social programmes targeting vulnerable populations.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 112th session to be held in February 2015, and results will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
Mission to the Kingdom of Bahrain
An INCB mission visited the Kingdom of Bahrain from 7 to 10 December 2014. The mission was led by Prof. Sri Suryawati, member of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Nodirjon Ibragimov of the INCB Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to discuss issues related to the country's implementation of the three international drug control conventions, to which it is party. This was the first mission of the Board to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The mission held discussions with the Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Attorney General, the Southern Governor, Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Regulatory Authority, Chief of Supreme Council for Environment as well as senior officials of the Public Security Directorate, Customs Affairs, General Directorate of Crime Detection and Forensic Science (including its Anti-Narcotics Department and Directorate on Forensic Science), Financial Intelligence Unit, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Health (Pharmacy and Drug Control Department as well as Communicable Diseases Group), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Psychiatric Hospital.
The mission also visited the General Organisation for Youth and Sports, which supports the Bahraini youth through skills training and strengthening of the relevant Government policies. In addition, the mission visited the Southern Governorate to discuss the Anti-Violence and Addiction Programme, implemented in the country to raise awareness among children and adolescents about the dangers of drug abuse.
The issues addressed during the mission focused on efforts of the Government in addressing drug abuse and trafficking, the Government's cooperation with INCB, and measures taken by the Government to control narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. The mission also discussed the availability of controlled substances for medical needs, policies to reduce illicit demand for drugs and to treat and rehabilitate drug users.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 112th session to be held in February 2015, and results will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania
An INCB mission visited the United Republic of Tanzania from 14 to 18 October 2014. The mission was conducted by Prof. Dr. Galina Korchagina, member of the Board, accompanied by a staff member of the INCB Secretariat. The aim of the mission was to review the Government's efforts to comply with obligations of the three international drug control conventions to which it is a party. The last Board mission to the Untied Republic of Tanzania occurred in 2000.
The mission held discussions with senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, Drug Control Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Law and Constitutional Affairs, Tanzania Revenue Authority - Directorate of Customs, Tanzania Police Force, State Attorney's Office, Tanzania Ports Authority, Tanzania Food and Drugs Agency, and Government Chemist Laboratory Agency, as well as with Director of Public Prosecution.
The mission also visited the Methadone Clinic Facility at Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, the Rural Women Development Initiative, an NGO which provides counselling and establishes youth rehabilitation centres for people affected by drugs, and Medicins du Monde.
Issues addressed during the mission focused on recent developments in drug trafficking and abuse in the United Republic of Tanzania, the Government's cooperation with INCB, measures taken by the Government to control narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and the chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs. Deliberations also concentrated on the availability of opiates for medical needs, policies to reduce the demand for illicit drugs and to treat and rehabilitate drug users.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 111th session held from 28 October to 14 November 2014, and results will be reflected in the 2014 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2015.
Mission to Iceland
An INCB mission visited Iceland from 25 to 27 March 2014. The mission was conducted by the First Vice-President of the Board, Prof. Dr. Galina Korchagina, accompanied by Ms. Beate Hammond of the INCB Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to discuss specific issues related to the country's implementation of the three international drug control conventions, to which it is party. This was the first mission of the Board to Iceland.
The mission met with senior officials from the Ministry of Welfare, the Directorate of Health, the Icelandic Medicines Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Customs and the Metropolitan Police. The mission also had the opportunity to visit Vogur Hospital which is managed by SAA, the National Centre of Addiction Medicine. Meetings were also held with representatives from the Icelandic Red Cross as well as FRÆ, the Center of Drug and Alcohol Prevention.
Deliberations focused on recent developments in drug trafficking and abuse in Iceland, the Government's cooperation with INCB, measures taken by the Government to control narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and the chemicals needed for their illicit manufacture and policies to reduce the demand for illicit drugs and to treat and rehabilitate drug users. The consumption of methylphenidate in Iceland was also discussed with the national authorities.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its forthcoming session in May 2014 and will be reflected in the INCB Annual Report for 2014, which will be published in early 2015.
INCB President visits the Vatican
The President of the International Narcotics Control Board, Mr. Raymond Yans, and the Secretary of the Board, Mr. Andrés Finguerut, visited the Vatican on 28 to 29 January 2014, as part of INCB's ongoing cooperation with Parties to the international drug control conventions.
The INCB President and Secretary met with Monsignor Antoine Camilleri, Undersecretary for Relations with States, to exchange views on the world drug situation and drug control policy of the Holy See. A meeting with Monsignor Zygmunt Zimowski, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, provided an opportunity to discuss the issue of prevention, particularly among youth, and access to pain medications and psychotropic substances, including through the Church's vast network of health care facilities. The critical situation regarding access to controlled medicines in some regions of the world, e.g., in Africa, was also highlighted.
Mr. Yans also had a brief meeting with His Holiness, Pope Francis.