Rapporteurs’ report of the joint expert workshop “Combating the threat of illicit drugs in the OSCE area”

Recommendations of the plenary session I - Assessment of the threat of illicit drugs:

• Governments were encouraged to work with the International Narcotics Control Board to prevent diversion and smuggling of precursor chemicals used for production of drugs, in particular acetic anhydride going to Afghanistan and pseudo-ephedrine as well as other precursors for synthetic drugs.

Recommendations of the plenary session II - International and national legal framework and practice:

• Ratification and implementation of the International Conventions are the overriding needs for proper international cooperation in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and appropriate action by Member States should be taken.
• A further strengthening of international cooperation through legal assistance was required. Model laws, including those provided by UNODC, are useful to support merging legislation of different countries and avoiding cooperation blockages due to the differences of laws.
• There is a need for consistent and compatible legislation in the anti-drug area among neighbouring countries.
• Placement of drug liaison officers (DLOs) in different countries should be further expanded as they are effective in promoting international cooperation, avoiding complicated bureaucratic procedures and speeding up operational cooperation.
• The practice of national and international controlled deliveries should be supported.
• There should be one authority in each country which would coordinate all national counter-narcotics efforts and policy making.
• Measures should be taken to achieve consistency of international and national tables of drugs and psychotropic substances under control. This assists in facilitating both legal and operational cooperation.
• Countering money laundering should include implementation of measures in accordance with the FATF recommendations.
• Participating states should take urgent action to sign the Agreement on the Establishment of the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center (CARICC).
• Rehabilitation of drug misusers should be included as an element in national drug control strategies.

Recommendations of the plenary session III - Lessons learned (achievements and obstacles) in combating illicit drug trafficking:

• There is a need to be pragmatic in setting goals which are realistic and achievable.
• The importance of having a balanced national drug strategy is crucial. A rebalance of efforts may be needed so as to place a stronger emphasis on demand reduction.

Recommendations of the plenary session IV – Role of international cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking:

• To address the link between drug trafficking and terrorism.
• To enhance border controls.
• To take on board the Moscow Declaration of the Paris Pact Initiative.
• To enhance co-operation with CSTO to combat trafficking of illicit drugs.
• To develop synergies with the Dublin Group.
• To work with UNDP in training border guards at the Afghan/Tajik border.
• To support the implementation of the UNODC-led project on creating a Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC); and
• To enhance co-operation between the UNODC and the OSCE.