Modern United Nations Essay (Essay Sample)

Modern United Nations
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Modern United Nations
The history of drug control dates back to 1912 when the Hague Convention on International Opium was signed (United Nations iii). It was followed by the 1925 Agreement, which examined the manufacture, trade, and use of prepared Opium (United Nations iii). In 1931, the convention resolved to regulate the manufacture and distribution of narcotic drugs (United Nations iii). Still, in 1931, an Agreement detailing how Opium Smoking was to be controlled in the Far East was signed. Following it was the 1936 convention, which criminalized the illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs (United Nations iii). In 1948, a Protocol was signed that brought drugs that were not covered by the 1931 Convention on narcotics manufacture and distribution under international control (United Nations iii). In 1953, a protocol was signed restricting and regulating poppy cultivation and the production, trade, and use of opium (United Nations iii).
In 1961, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs was adopted to prohibit the possession, use, trading, distribution, importation, exportation, manufacturing, and production of drugs for any purpose other than medical or scientific (International Narcotics Control Board iii). In 1971, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances resolved that psychotropic substances should be used only for scientific and medicinal values and that their accessibility should not be disproportionately restricted for these purposes.
There are substantial gaps in the accessibility of these drugs and access to medical treatments in certain regions and countries, while they are oversupplied in others, posing a significant risk of diversion and increasing the difficulty of controlling them. The World Drug Report 2021 indicates that the scope of drugs and drug markets has continued to expand and diversify. According to the report, approximately 275 million people globally in 2020 abused drugs, an increase of 22 percent from 2010. (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 3). Additionally, the market for drugs has grown. Between 2013 and 2018, the global production of cocaine more than doubled, and the non-medical opioid also increased (UN Secretary-General 2). Drug usage is dangerous. Around half a million people died in 2019, while others were left with serious illnesses (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime 3). Also, the illegal drug trade affects communities' social and economic development.
The relevance of drug control was made clear in the resolutions of a 2016 General Assembly's special session about the challenge of drugs worldwide (International Narcotics Control Board iii). In addition, the significance of drug control was emphasized in Resolution 53/4 of 2010 and 54/6 of 2011 adopted by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs. The two resolutions resolved that internationally restricted substances should be made adequately available when needed for scientific and medicinal value while taking necessary steps to ensure those substances are diverted for this purpose or abused (International Narcotics Control Board iii). Control of drugs is a shared and common responsibility among nations. As such, it should be dealt with in an intergovernmental setting through an integrated and coordinated approach that is fully consistent with the United Nations Charter's principles and purposes.
This is the case with Brazil. Using legislation heavily influenced by the United Nations drug conventions, the country maintains tight control over drugs (TNI). Following the adoption of these convent