| Overview | Strategies | Programmes | Statistics | Contact | Links |

UNDCP - an overview

“Our goal is simple: to eliminate the illegal drug trade worldwide.”

The international drug control system is governed by a series of treaties, adopted under the aegis of the United Nations, which requite that Governments exercise control over production and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances, combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking, maintain the necessary administrative machinery and report to international organs on their actions.

The United Nations helps countries find innovative ways of controlling the supply of and demand for drugs. All United Nations drug control activities are coordinated by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). UNDCP was established in 1990, and became operational in 1991. It provides leadership in drug control, monitors trends in drug production, consumption and trafficking, and promotes the implementation of international drug control.

At the national level, UNDCP helps Governments develop and implement comprehensive drug control programmes. UNDCP’s 21 field offices on five continents provide technical assistance through hundreds of projects across the globe that help countries to:

• Deter drug use
• Halt production
• Cut drug supply lines
• Confiscate drug money and assets

UNDCP started developing national drug control capabilities of the Baltic states already at a time when related problems were still minor in the region. In 1993, UNDCP started to identify the needs and requirements in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and to recommend measures for improvement to the governments in the region and to the interested donors. The Programme established a permanent presence in the Baltics in July 1994 through the Regional Office for the Baltic States.

The UNDCP has concentrated from the outset in the Baltic States on the development of legal and institutional structures for drug control as a prerequisite for the implementation of sound and comprehensive drug control packages. The Baltic countries have accomplished impressive legislative work over the last five years to develop national drug control legislation in support of all three United Nations drug control conventions. Related UNDCP advisory services and training have been provided through two projects: “Global Legal Assistance Project” and “Initial Drug Control Assistance to the Baltic States.” UNDCP guidance and advice in developing national drug control strategies has resulted in formulation of drug control and prevention master plans for Latvia and Lithuania.

Capacities of drug law enforcement structures in the police, customs and border guard, as well as analytical capacities of drug testing laboratories have been strengthened through provision of equipment and related training under three national projects in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The project “Rindzele Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre” provided assistance in development of a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts in Latvia and in introducing a new treatment concept in the Baltics. A number of NGOs in all three Baltic countries have been supported with grants to organise drug prevention activities targeting young people.

Recognising that primary prevention has an important role in countering the drug problem, the project “Development of Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention Kits and Related Training for Public Schools in the Baltic States” was started in November 1999. The project aims at improving the ability of teachers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to prevent the initiation of illicit drug use by strengthening pupils’ self-esteem and resistance to peer pressure, promoting healthy life styles and providing opportunity to develop life skills.

*Put links to ‘Strategy’, ‘Programs’, ‘Statistics’, ‘Contact’ and ‘Links’