INCB Learning project kicks off training in Guatemala

Vienna/Guatemala, 12 December 2017 - The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) on 11 December started a three-day regional training seminar in Guatemala City on the implementation of the international drug control conventions. Officials from Guatemala and Honduras are taking part. The seminar is hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was opened by Ambassador Alicia Castillo, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala and Mr. Oscar Miguel Dávila Méjicanos, Vice-Minister of Interior of Guatemala.

During the seminar, participants will build their knowledge of the international drug control framework and the technical reporting obligations of the conventions related to narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals. Treaty compliance and effective reporting to INCB help prevent the diversion of and trafficking in internationally controlled substances, the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances while allowing for their sufficient availability for medical and scientific purposes.

The training is part of the INCB Learning project, which began in 2016 as a global initiative to assist Governments in the regulatory control and monitoring of the licit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals. Activities also support the Member States in fulfilling the commitment they made at the special session of the General Assembly on the world drug problem last year: to improve adequate access to controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes.

  

Opioid analgesics, such as morphine, are essential for the treatment of moderate to severe pain caused by cancer and other indications. Levels of use of these substances, however, remain low in many countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Strengthening Governments' capacity to adequately assess national requirements of internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes is key to ensure that medicines containing such substances are sufficiently available to patients in need. The importance of adequate access to medicines containing internationally controlled substances will also be highlighted in the discussions on the findings of INCB's Availability Report and in a presentation delivered by the World Health Organization.

Additionally, the training will focus on the control of precursor chemicals to prevent their use in the illicit manufacture of internationally controlled substances. An expert from the Container Control Programme by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and World Customs Organization will join the seminar to provide input in the area of container control.

Training seminars under INCB Learning were held last year for countries in East Africa, South and East Asia and the Pacific regions, and for European countries, as well as the region of Oceania earlier this year. The training seminar in Guatemala is the first one to take place in Latin America. Other INCB Learning activities include the production of e-learning modules on the requirements of the drug conventions for use by Governments. INCB Learning has benefitted from the support of the Governments of Australia, France and the United States. To continue and expand these activities, INCB Learning depends on further contributions by the Member States.

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The Vienna-based Board is an independent body, established by the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, mandated to monitor and support governments' compliance with the three international drug control treaties. Its 13 members are elected by the Economic and Social Council to serve in their individual capacities for a term of five years.

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For further information, please contact:
INCB Secretariat
Telephone for media inquiries: (+43-1) 26060 4163
Email: secretariat[at]incb.org
Website: www.incb.org

 

 

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