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must almost inevitably lead to a consideration of the other and
therefore the two should be taken together within the framework of one Sub-Committee. A.C.A.N. approved the merger in February 1972 and the first meeting of the newly constituted Deterrents Sub-Committee took place in May 1972. With one exception, the work of this Sub-Committee so far has been concerned entirely with the deterrent aspect of its terms of reference - considering the
type of legislation required to control properly the trade in dangerous drugs both licit and illicit - to bring the 'Mr. Bigs' of the trade to book and to ensure that adequate penalties exist in the law to punish offenders and deter those who may be tempted to trade in or consume dangerous drugs. The Sub-Committee meets monthly and at the present time is pursuing initiatives which may result in considerable alterations in law and procedure aimed primarily at bringing the 'Mr. Bigs' to justice and deterring more effectively those who profit from the illicit narcotics business.
15.
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Although at first sight there may appear to be a close
relationship between the illicit traffic and deterrents it is
submitted that in fact this is not so. The two subjects are separate and distinct. Whilst hopefully the procedures and
penalties provided in the law will be such as to stop people engaging in the illicit drug trade for profit, the questions
of opium production, the manufacturing of morphine base and heroin and the trafficking in drugs generally are matters which
fall into the realms of diplomacy, the international and domestic
policies of States and operations at law enforcement level both
overseas and local. It is suggested therefore that A.C.A.N.
should consider providing for the separation of the illicit
traffic and deterrent functions.
16.
The Research Sub-Committee has met a total of 37 times
since 1965. It did not meet at all between March 1969 and November
1971 and met five times during 1972. This cannot be considered a
satisfactory record. Research must be a vital element in the work
programme of A.C.A.N. since drug addiction and its treatment are subjects not perfectly understood involving most complex fields of
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