Problems stemming from drug abuse and illicit trafficking have been growing at an alarming rate over the past 50 years. During this period, the abuse of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has increasingly spread throughout the world, primarily among the young, crossing all social, economic, political, and national boundaries. While the extent of drug abuse varies from country to country and from one population group to another within the same country, abuse has spread to countries and population groups that had not previously been involved, and has increased further in those population groups where it already existed. The spread reflects expanded illicit production and distribution. These trends are most likely to continue and, given the known consequences of drug abuse, to have significant adverse effects on public health and general social and economic conditions.

Drug abuse severely affects normal social functioning, intelligent and responsible behaviour, and the ability and motivation to engage in the complex tasks required in modern societies. Heavy drug abusers show very pronounced tendencies toward inactivity, apathy and self-neglect. Loss of interest in conventional goals and lethargy lead to decreased productivity at school and at work. In addition to the costs of drug- related crimes and incarcerations, heavy costs are inflicted on national economies by disabilities, absenteeism, accidents, and deaths due to drug abuse. Forms  of drug abuse are becoming increasingly complex: abuse involving two or more substances is widespread and has become the predominant pattern in a number of countries. The age of first drug use is falling from adolescence to preadolescence and even earlier in some countries. In the 1980s, there has been an alarming increase in the spread of AIDS and certain other viral infections among abusers who inject drugs and,  subsequently, from abusers to the general population through such modes as sexual intercourse.  Societies most likely will be faced with increasing demands for resources to cope with problems related to AIDS, including more effective programmemes designed to prevent the transmission of the virus through drug abuse. This demand will require more intensive search for effective methods of prevention and treatment of drug abuse, as well as broader implementation of such measures. At present, methadone maintenance has, in some instances, shown useful results in the process of treatment for opiate-addicted persons. The usefulness of alternative programmes, such as free distribution of sterilized needles and syringes, is being explored. In addition, educational and other preventive programmes, designed to meet the needs of various target groups, should be provided in all social settings.

To cope effectively with drug abuse problems in the years to come, traditional and novel prevention and treatment forms will be required. In addition to promoting traditional services, societies will make increasing efforts to provide these new approaches:

(a)     Broadly-based educational programmes, in natural social settings, to help individuals at risk to acquire necessary knowledge and confidence to resist the temptation to use illicit drugs, and to increase their ability to cope with day-to- day problems of living;

(b)    After-care and social reintegration, especially with a view to reducing relapse rates after completion of treatment and rehabilitation. Involving the family, the local community and other appropriate forms of social support will reduce relapse rates;

(c)    Positive community response to drug- related problems and community involvement in providing readily available preventive and treatment services at as low a cost as possible;

(d)    Participation of youth in preventive programmes and encourage the creation of conditions in which young people can find scope for their capacities for social integration and receive due recognition and support for their activities.

The illicit supply of and trafficking in drugs have also increased at an alarming rate in most parts of the world over the past 20 years. The forbidden cultivation of narcotic plants has grown to enormous proportions in certain areas. Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are increasingly produced by illegal labouratories. Diversion from legal sources into other channels adds considerably to the problem of illicit supply of drugs. While strong law enforcement and advanced technology may greatly improve a nation's ability to destroy these crops, production in some areas is likely to continue unless reasonable economic alternatives are offered to those involved. Reducing the economic incentive to grow the crops, as part of a long- term goal of eradicating illicit production, has increased in strategic importance over the past decade. Future efforts will require increased technical and financial resources for this purpose.

Drug trafficking has become very sophisticated and complex, involving organized crime in a variety of illegal activities, including conspiracy, bribery, intimidation and corruption of public servants, tax evasion, banking law violations, racketeering, illegal money transfers, import/export violations, smuggling of weapons, crimes of violence and terrorism. Drug- related problems thus directly affect social stability and public safety and are associated with social disintegration.

Increasing the efficiency of the criminal justice system in arresting, prosecuting, and sentencing traffickers will effectively supplement the activities of police and customs authorities. This process includes strengthening legal tools to ensure appropriate penalties. Depriving individuals involved in drug trafficking of their profits has proven to be an effective countermeasure in various parts of the world.

A number of Governments have initiated vigorous and innovative methods for disrupting drug- trafficking networks. These methods and experience in using them can be shared with other Governments. In many cases of drug trafficking, it is necessary to look for evidence in countries or territories other than that where the accused individual has been brought to trial. Therefore a international co- operation is essential to ensure the effective prosecution of these individuals and the removal of their illegally gained profits. An important action being taken by the international community in this regard has been the adoption in 1988 of a new United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotr@pic Substances, which deals with those aspects of the problem not covered in existing international drug control treaties. The international drug control system will thus be strengthened to cope more effectively with the drug-abuse challenge in the 21st century.

The commitment of the international community to strive for universal accession to international drug control treaties and their strict implementation will intensify co- operation through the United Nations to strengthen each nation's handling of drug abuse and associated problems. The Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control, adopted at the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, provided a basis for strengthening the international cooperation.

To summarize, fuller participation of all elements of society in defining and achieving the common goals of development has the potential to stimulate motivation, innovation, and productivity. There is great potential in further use of co- operative, self-help and community groups, non-governmental organizations, and workers' participation in the management of enterprises. Economic and social development can benefit from greater autonomy for public enterprises, devolution of power to local authorities, and new forms of partnership between governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The reorientation of welfare services towards mutual self-help, prevention, rehabilitation, and income- generating activities is especially significant in developing countries. Rapidly rising costs of social welfare programmes have been a cause of concern in the developed countries, as have their alleged inefficiencies and failure to provide for those most in need. Institutionalization is being de- emphasized in favour of community-based and family-based support, prevention, and rehabsilitation.

Progress towards equality has wide implications for the future global economy and society. Women make essential contributions to economic and social life although many of their activities are not formally recognized, especially their work in households, family farms and enterprises, and in the informal sector. Greater productivity in such activities could be a major source of increased well-being and economic growth. With increasing life expectancy;     and other changes in the developing countries, many more women are likely to enter the formal labour force.

In many developing countries the need for social services is growing, but with recession and economic decline in some areas, Governments are seeking to maintain existing family support systems. Social welfare programmemes emphasize creating more income-earning opportunities.

National economies will suffer from the effects of crime, including the use of legitimate or quasi- legitimate organizational techniques and structures for illegal economic gain. The use of new techniques for non-violent but illegal acquisition and use of money will grow and significantly affect the economy in many countries.

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have spread throughout the world and are likely to continue. Drug abuse, primarily among the young, crosses all social, economic, and political boundaries. Its spread reflects expanded illicit demand and production as well as the traffic in drugs, which has become sophisticated and complex, involving organized crime. The cultivation of narcotic plants has grown to enormous proportions in certain areas of the world. While strong law enforcement and advanced technology may improve a nation's ability to destroy illicit crops, production in some areas is likely to continue unless reasonable economic alternatives are offered to those involved.