The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is the independent and quasi-judicial control organ monitoring the implementation of the United Nations drug control conventions. It was established in 1968 in accordance with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961. It had predecessors under the former drug control treaties as far back as the time of the League of Nations.
The functions of INCB deals with the following:
- As regards the licit manufacture of, trade in and use of drugs, INCB endeavours, in cooperation with Governments, to ensure that adequate supplies of drugs are available for medical and scientific uses and that the diversion of drugs from licit sources to illicit channels does not occur. INCB also monitors Governments' control over chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs and assists them in preventing the diversion of those chemicals into the illicit traffic;
- As regards the illicit manufacture of, trafficking in and use of drugs, INCB identifies weaknesses in national and international control systems and contributes to correcting such situations. INCB is also responsible for assessing chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of drugs, in order to determine whether they should be placed under international control.
In order to further the aims of the treaties, the Board maintains ongoing discussions with Governments. Such dialogues are pursued through regular consultations and through missions arranged in agreement with the Governments concerned. As a result, for example, countries became parties to the conventions and have strengthened their legislation, particularly concerning psychotropic substances, or have improved coordination of national drug control efforts.
To read 2010 Report of the International Narcotics Control Board on the Availability of Internationally Controlled Drugs: Ensuring Adequate Access for Medical and Scientific Purposes click here
World Health Assembly, 58th session on 16-25 May 2005
The World Health Organization and its predecessor bodies, the Health Committee of the League of Nations and the Office International d’Hygiene Publique (OIHP), have played very important roles in health and international drug control. Since its inception, WHO and the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) have closely worked together in order to further advance the medical use of drugs and both our organizations have made efforts to ensure adequate provision of drugs for medical purposes while preventing their diversion into illicit channels. INCB has also been working towards the achievement of the health and drug-related Millennium Development Goals which call for, inter alia, increased access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries. To read the whole document click here
Other important documents available at the International Narcotics Control Board website are: