Mission to the People's Republic of China
An INCB mission to the People's Republic of China took place from 19 to 21 October 2015. The mission was conducted by Mr. Werner Sipp, President of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Rossen Popov, Deputy Secretary of the INCB Secretariat. The mission discussed matters of common interest related to international drug control policy, including the preparation for the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem (UNGASS), the latest changes in the legal framework for drug control in China, the issue of new psychoactive substances (NPS), the availability of scheduled substances for medical purposes, and treatment and rehabilitation in China, etc. The mission held consultations with senior officials of the Ministries of Security, Health, Foreign Affairs and Justice, as well as the General Administration of Customs. The INCB delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Beijing Narcotics Control Volunteers Organization (NGO).
The findings of the mission will be considered by the Board at its session in February 2016 and reported in the INCB Annual Report for 2016.
Mission to the Eastern Republic of Uruguay
INCB carried out a mission to Uruguay from 25 to 27 November 2015. Mr. Werner Sipp, President of Board, led the mission accompanied by Board member Mr. Alejandro Mohar, Member of the Board, and Mr. Stefano Berterame of the INCB secretariat. The objective of the mission was to discuss the legislation on the non-medical use of cannabis and its implementation in Uruguay. The mission was coordinated by the National Drug Board (Junta Nacional de Drogas) which, under the Presidency of the Republic has the responsibility to coordinate all actions and interventions related drug control and prevention. The mission held consultations with senior officials of the Ministries of Interior, Health and Foreign Affairs, as well as with the Attorney General. Meetings were also held with officials of the newly established Institute for the Regulation and Control of Cannabis and the Scientific Advisory Committee. The mission also had the opportunity to visit several drug abuse treatment services, including: the outpatient treatment service for women and mothers at the Pereira Rossell Hospital; the community-based treatment Centre "El Achique"; and the treatment and care center "Portal Amarillo".
The findings of the mission will be considered by the Board at its session in February 2016 and reported upon in the INCB Annual Report 2016, to be published in early 2017.
Mission to the Italian Republic
An INCB mission visited Italy from 9 to 12 June 2015. The mission was conducted by Mr. Raymond Yans, member of INCB, accompanied by Ms. Beate Hammond of the INCB Secretariat. The last mission to Italy took place in 1999.
The objective of the mission was to review the drug control situation in Italy and the Government's compliance with the three international drug control conventions to which Italy is a party. The mission examined issues related to the system of control of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Italy as well as the abuse of and trafficking in such substances. Among the issues discussed was the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes.
The mission met with senior officials in the Department for Anti-drug Policies of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defence, the Central Directorate for Antidrug Services of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as with various non-governmental organizations. In addition, the mission visited the military chemical-pharmaceutical plant in Florence where cannabis is cultivated for medical purposes.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its 114th session in November 2015 and will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
Mission to the Republic of Moldova
An INCB mission visited the Republic of Moldova from 19 to 21 May 2015. The mission was conducted by Mr. Werner Sipp, President of INCB, accompanied by Mr. Adrian Moicean of the INCB Secretariat. The last mission to the Republic of Moldova took place in September 1996.
The objective of the mission was to review the drug control situation in the Republic of Moldova and the Government's compliance with the three international drug control conventions to which Moldova is a party. The situation of, and the actions by the government to counter drug trafficking, to prevent drug abuse and to provide treatment for drug dependent persons as well as the availability of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical purposes, particularly in palliative care, were also discussed.
The mission met with the Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, the Deputy General Prosecutor, as well as high-level officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Customs Service. The mission also met with the President of the Permanent Committee on Drug Control and the General Director of the Republican Dispensary of Narcology. The delegation visited the Republican Dispensary of Narcology in Chisinau, which provides drug dependence treatment including methadone substitution therapy and rehabilitation facilities.
The mission also had meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the WHO Representative as well as with one NGO active in drug abuse prevention in Chisinau.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its 114th session in November 2015 and will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.
Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran
An INCB mission visited the Islamic Republic of Iran from 18 to 20 May 2015. The mission was led by Dr. Viroj Sumyai, member of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Nodirjon Ibragimov of the INCB Secretariat. The Islamic Republic of Iran is a party to the three international drug control conventions and the purpose of the mission was to discuss the efforts of the country in the implementation of those conventions. The previous mission of the Board to the Islamic Republic of Iran took place in September 2003.
The mission held discussions with senior officials of the Drug Control Headquarters, the Office of Prosecutor General, the National Centre for Addiction Studies, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Food and Drug Organization, the Anti-Narcotics Police and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The mission also visited drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation facilities in the country.
The issues addressed during the mission focused on efforts of the Government in addressing drug abuse and trafficking, the Government's cooperation with the 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 as well as treatment and rehabilitation.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 114th session to be held in November 2015, and the results will be reflected in the 2016 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2017.
INCB Mission to the Republic of Ghana
An INCB mission visited Ghana from 15 to 17 April 2015. The mission was conducted by the Second Vice-President of the Board, Dr. Viroj Sumyai, accompanied by Ms. Ha Fung NG (Cilla) 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. The previous mission to Ghana was conducted in 2005.
The mission met with officials from the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Interior; the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General; the Ministry of Education; the Food and Drugs Authority; the Ghana Standards Authority; the Narcotics Control Board; the Police; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service. The mission also had the opportunity to visit the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Meetings were held with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization, and the Consortium of Non-Governmental Organizations on Drug Abuse and Prevention.
Deliberations focused on the drug abuse situation in Ghana; its legal and institutional framework for drug control; the Government's cooperation with INCB; measures taken to control narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and the chemicals diverted to their illicit manufacture; policies to ensure access to medicines containing internationally controlled substances; demand reduction; and treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its forthcoming session in May 2015 and will be reflected in the INCB Annual Report for 2015, which will be published in early 2016.
Mission to the Republic of Honduras
An INCB mission visited Honduras from 23 to 27 February 2015. The mission was conducted by Board member Prof. Francisco Thoumi, 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. A technical visit to Honduras was carried out in 2006.
The mission met with officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Public Prosecutions, Customs, and the Ministry of External Relations and International Cooperation. The mission had the opportunity to visit an out-patient treatment center in Tegucigalpa. Meetings were also held with the United Nations Resident Coordinator as well as with the Executive Director from the Association for a More Just Society (AJS).
Deliberations focused on recent developments in drug trafficking and abuse in Honduras, 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 issue of drug-related violence in Honduras was also discussed.
The findings of the mission will be reviewed by the Board at its forthcoming session in May 2015 and will be reflected in the INCB Annual Report for 2015, which will be published in early 2016.
Mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
The INCB carried out a mission to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste from 16 to 21 February 2015. The mission was led by Prof. Sri Suryawati, member of the Board, accompanied by Mr. Antoine Vella of the INCB Secretariat. The purpose of the mission was to obtain detailed information on Timor-Leste's policy, national legislation and practical experience in the area of drug control, and to discuss obstacles to accession of the drug control treaties of 1961 and 1971. This was the first mission of the Board to Timor-Leste.
The visit was coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, which welcomed the mission at an official dinner. The mission met with the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Social Solidarity and the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The mission also held discussions with senior officials from Customs, the National Police, the National Intelligence Service, the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Financial Information Unit of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste. In addition, the mission received briefings from officials from the Department of Pharmacy, Laboratory and Control of Medications as well as SAMES (Autonomous Service for Medications and Health Equipment) - the entity responsible for distribution of medications throughout Timor-Leste.
The mission also visited the National Hospital of Timor-Leste, meeting the Executive Director. Moreover, the mission met with the representatives of UNDP and WHO in Timor-Leste.
The issues discussed focused on the availability of controlled drugs for medical needs, the legal and institutional framework on drug control in Timor-Leste, including its potential accession to the 1961 and 1971 conventions and the current practice with regard to trade and distribution of controlled drugs, and the current situation and outlook for the country with regard to drug trafficking and abuse.
The findings of the mission will be discussed by the Board at its 113th session to be held in May 2015, and results will be reflected in the 2015 INCB Annual Report, to be published in early 2016.