Iran statement at the reconvened meeting of Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

Implementation of the Drug Control Treaties

Statement 

Mr. Majid HAMEDANI, Head of Natural Disaster and Narcotics Division,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before reconvened meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs 

Under Agenda Item 5: Implementation of the Drug Control Treaties 

(Vienna, 6 December 2024)

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Mr. Chairman,

Distinguished Colleagues;

Time and again, I would extend my sincere thanks to you for convening this meeting.

We underscore that the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988 constitute the cornerstone of the international drug control system and reiterate that the CND is the policy-making body of the United Nations with prime responsibility for drug control matters, and the INCB as the monitoring treaty-mandated body in the field of drug control.

 The Islamic Republic of Iran has adopted and implemented a balanced approach to countering the drug problem. This approach encompasses a wide range of initiatives, including demand reduction, prevention, treatment, harm reduction, rehabilitation, social support, and vocational training for addicts, as well as combating illicit drug trafficking. For example, during the first nine months of 2024, Iran seized over 330 tons of various drugs along its shared borders with Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of eight members of its law enforcement and intelligence forces. Additionally, it is important to note that nearly one billion dollars is allocated for the implementation of a national comprehensive strategy addressing various aspects of the drug problem within the country

As far as our region is concerned, the decline in drug production and the subsequent rise in drug price in recent years has led to a rise in the demand for the production and traffic of new psychoactive substances.

Approximately 10 new psychoactive substances have been detected in IRAN, namely Chemical and Datura with herbal origin, Ketamine with medicinal origin, and Bufotenine with animal origin.

The growing diversity of new psychoactive substances, coupled with the lack of knowledge among law enforcement and monitoring bodies, underscores the need for sharing information and experiences, as well as for coordinated measures by national agencies across countries.

Once unknown substances enter local markets in any country, it is crucial to have an effective legislative framework in place to enforce national control measures, conduct relevant examinations, and share the findings with the authorities of other countries. Additionally, we encourage the development and use of early warning systems at both the national and international levels, particularly the UNODC Early Warning Advisory, to identify and share information on new psychoactive substances (NPS).

Regarding the challenges in listing and scheduling substances, the Islamic Republic of IRAN enjoys a concrete structure known as the National Anti-Narcotics Act approved in 1988, as well as an inter-organizational entity known as Drug Control Headquarters (DCHQ) which comprises 24 ministries and national institutions, presided by the President.

Being a party to the three International Conventions, IRAN has brought under national control, all drugs included in tables under the international control regime, in accordance with Article 40 of the Anti-Narcotics Act.

It should emphasize that our law enforcement and intelligence agencies are dedicated to monitoring and gathering information on the diversion of chemical precursors and the abuse of new substances by illicit networks. Their findings are forwarded to the special committees within DCHQ for further review, which may result in the national classification or scheduling of these substances.

For instance, IRAN’s Police and Custom Administration have observed increase in number of large shipments of Acetyl Chloride into Afghan territory. These were due to their use as an illegal chemical precursor to produce heroin. Iran has scheduled the substance and already reported all the relevant cases to UNODC and INCB through the PICS mechanism.

We are also deeply concerned about the legalization of cannabis for so-called recreational purposes. We fully support the assessments of the INCB, which highlight that the growing trend to permit the use of cannabis for non-medical and non-scientific purposes violates the 1961 Single Convention and poses a significant challenge to the international community, the State Parties to the drug control conventions, and the effective implementation of these conventions.

 

Thank you.