The International Narcotics Control Board Annual Report was launched by Major Brian Watters, INCB Board member, at the United Nations Information Centre, Canberra on the 24 February, 2010.
Mr Christopher Woodthorpe, Director of the United Nations Information Centre, in his introductory remarks said that the report was an important document, and he re-iterated its message ‘that international drug control efforts cannot be successful in the long term without continuous effort to reduce the demand for illicit drugs’.
On launching the annual report, Major Watters emphasised the importance of re-establishing the place of primary prevention alongside secondary prevention. He then went onto state that as primary prevention by government alone will not suffice, there needs to be stronger collaboration with non-governmental organisations. He added that these partnerships be forged at all levels, locally nationally and internationally to ensure scarce resources are applied as efficiently as possible to increase effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of drug use.
His presentation also included discussion on the growing problem of prescriptions drug abuse, new processes, routes and substances used by criminal networks to manufacture drugs, and a global overview on major trends in drug abuse and trafficking.
The launch was attended by members of civil society, Diplomatic Corps, government and the media.
Picture: Major Brian Watters, INCB Board Member launching 2009 INCB annual report, UNIC Canberra
Link to report