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Conventions, international drug

The framework for the international control of psychotropic substances is established by the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971 signed in Vienna, Austria. Following the establishment of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, a commentary was prepared providing detailed explanation of the various articles and provisions of the convention. The UN Treaty Collection provides information related to the signature, accession, acceptance, approval, formal confirmation and succession by Governments to the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 (INCB).

The 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Convention provides comprehensive measures against drug trafficking, including provisions against money laundering and the diversion of precursor chemicals. It provides for international cooperation through, for example, extradition of drug traffickers, controlled deliveries and transfer of proceedings.

Historical information: International treaties concerned with the control of production and distribution of psychoactive drugs. Early treaties (General Brussels Act, 1889-90, and St Germain-en-Laye Convention of 1912) controlled liquor traffic in Africa in the colonial era. The first treaty dealing with currently controlled substances was the Hague Convention of 1912: its provisions and those of succeeding agreements were consolidated in the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961; amended by a 1972 Protocol). To this have been added the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (WHO Lexicon of alcohol and drug terms).

For more information on drug laws, see the European Legal Database on Drugs

INCB