TNAG-1710-FCO40-2386-Royal-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 81

The Parties,

Annex IV

DRAFT PREAMBLE *

E/CN.7/1988/2 (Part II) page 69

Deeply concerned by the magnitude of and upward trend in the illicit production of, demand for and traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which pose a serious threat to the health and welfare of human beings, and adversely affect the economic, cultural and political foundations of society,

Observing the links between drug trafficking and other associated organized criminal activities which undermine the legitimate economies and threaten the stability, security and sovereignty of States,

Recognizing that drug trafficking is an international criminal activity demanding urgent attention and maximum priority,

Aware that drug trafficking generates large financial profits and wealth enabling transnational criminal organizations to penetrate, contaminate and corrupt the structures of Government, legitimate commercial and financial business, and society at all its levels,

Desiring to deprive drug traffickers of the proceeds of their criminal activity and thereby eliminate their main incentive for engaging in drug trafficking,

Considering that measures of supervision are necessary for substances, including precursors, chemicals and solvents, the ready availability of which has led to an increase in the clandestine production of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances falling under the provisions of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, that Convention as amended by the 1972 Protocol Amending the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances,

Noting that the increased smuggling of drugs through regular post office channels calls for strengthening the existing international conventions which prohibit the illicit carriage of drugs in the mail,

Desiring to improve international co-operation in the suppression of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by sea,

Recognizing that eradication of drug trafficking is the collective responsibility of all States,

Aware of the necessity of dealing with drug trafficking by effective co-ordinated action within the framework of international co-operation,

*Original text as drafted by the Secretariat and submitted to Governments

for comment.