The use of psychotropic substances

A UN Conference in Vienna in 1988 resulted in the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances the purpose of which was to promote co-operation among the Parties to the Convention so that they might address more effectively the various aspects of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances having an international dimension. The Convention covered, among many areas, offenses, sanctions, jurisdiction, confiscation, extradition, mutual legal assistance, cooperation and training. The Convention stated that parties would take measures they deemed appropriate to prevent diversion of substances used for the purpose of illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, and would co-operate with one another to that end.

This convention was in addition to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 protocol and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. These three international drug control treaties reinforce and complement each other and are still benchmark treaties in use today.