How does UNODC research programme
support UN inter-governmental bodies
and their Member States to address the
Drug Problem?
DPA/RAB June 2014
Research, analysis, statistics and forensics:
UNODC mission
1.
Collect and disseminate accurate drugs and crime statistics and analyze
trends and threats to support Member States in their comprehensive
response to drugs and crime.
2.
Strengthen national forensic capacity and support Member States to
produce, disseminate and use drug and crime statistics within the framework
of official statistics.
3.
Develop forensic, methodological and statistical standards in the field of
crime, criminal justice and illicit drugs in collaboration with national experts
and relevant international organizations.
As mandated by various CND, ECOSOC, GA resolutions
Three sets of research tools
1. To support national capacity
– Surveys
– National research capacity
– National forensic capacity
2. To facilitate data and information sharing
3. To provide knowledge on the dynamics of regional and
international drug markets
–
–
–
–
The World Drug Report
Global Assessment of Synthetic drugs and NPS
Annual reports to the CND
Regional analytical reports on Afghan Opiates and ATS
UNODC helps Member States to fulfil their
international commitments and to better
understand their national drug problem
Parties to the International Drug Conventions are required to provide data
on drug use and supply to the UN Secretary General on an annual basis.
Ex: UNODC and Member States jointly implement
annual production and drug use surveys
Our approach:
Consistent & Comparable methods
• Quality standards & control
• Harmonised methodologies
• Transparent (reports published)
Participatory
• Cooperation of national and international agencies
• Transfer of technology, capacity building
Focussed on evidence for policy development
• Support Member States in the development of their comprehensive counter
drugs policies including: eradication, prevention of drug use, alternative
development.
International Collaborative Exercises (ICE)
•
•Drug and precursor standards
•Methods of analysis
•Seized materials
•Biological specimens
•2 Rounds a year
•Web-based secure portal
•Real time evaluation
International Collaborative Exercise
Supporting 165 Labs in 57 countries
Field identification kits
Kits available in all
UN languages +
Computer Based Training
Guidelines for NPS identification
Enhancing Member States’ Capacity
Training on portable
devices for rapid NPS
detection
Facilitating data and information sharing
www.unodc.org/nps
Sharing Information on Legislative Responses
Providing knowledge on the dynamics of
regional and international drug markets
www.unodc.org/wdr/
How do we produce research publications?
IDS
ARQ
Ad
hoc
Int.
Org.
Data
provided
by MS
Acade
mia
Primary Evidence always reviewed by MS
Analysis of Primary evidence + contextual
information
Official
info from
open
sources
Scientific
literature
Primary
evidence
Example : Methamphetamine flows as perceived by
recipient country, 2008-2012
Transnational information system
In the spirit of international cooperation
UNODC Research Values
• Transparency
• Unbiased research
• Evidence and Methodology lead the analysis and research
findings
• Research to support countries NOT against countries
– The purpose is not to “blame and shame” but to provide an accurate
picture of dug markets
• All MS are equally treated in the analysis of data and in the
dissemination of results
• Distinction between research findings and policy conclusions
Challenges
• Dealing with a complex phenomenon and 193 MS
• Lack of national capacity to regularly produce data but
also in some instances lack of willingness to openly
share information on national drug markets
• High demand and limited resources
Conclusion: Relevance of UNODC Research for
MS and the international community
Putting the puzzle together
• Monitoring compliance with international conventions and targets set at
inter-governmental fora.
• Supporting evidence-based policy development and comprehensive
responses to illicit drugs, including alternative development.
Supporting the monitoring capacity of Member States
• Identifying drugs (forensics)
• Providing knowledge on illicit drugs cultivation, production, use, and the
drug economy (affecting social stability, economic development, health
and national security).
• Monitoring the effectiveness of drug control measures and related
development programmes.
For further information, please contact:
Angela Me, Chief
Research and Analysis Branch
UNODC
Angela.Me@unodc.org