Preface

Several decades ago, the international community made a solemn commitment with the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol and the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971:2 to make adequate provision to ensure, and not to unduly restrict, the availability of drugs that were considered indispensable for medical and scientific purposes. In recent decades, that promise has not been completely fulfilled. Too many people still suffer or die in pain or do not have access to the medications they need. Unnecessary suffering resulting from a lack of appropriate medication due to inaction and excessive administrative requirements is a situation that shames us all.

Related Subject(s): Drugs Crime and Terrorism