ACCORD establishes a dynamic Plan of Action, which rests on four pillars :

1. Proactively advocating civic awareness on dangers of drugs and social response
   
   

2. Building consensus and sharing best practices on demand reduction
   
   

3. Strengthening the rule of law by an enhanced network of control measures and improved law enforcement co-operation and legislative review
   
   

4. Eliminating the supply of illicit drugs by boosting alternative development programmes and community participation in the eradication of illicit crops

The achievement of the Plan will be continually measured through a regional monitoring mechanism owned by all the stakeholders.

The Challenge :

1.1. The participation of all sectors of society in drug control efforts is increasingly recognised as a key factor for any drug control strategy. While most countries acknowledge the importance of information and awareness building, the impact of their activities in this field has been limited. The communication component has often been merely project-specific, while public communication needs instead to focus on behaviour and on fostering sustained public support for drug control.

Common efforts among the countries have been directed to the elimination of illicit drugs through eradication and alternative development schemes, law enforcement measures at the national and at the regional level, harmonisation of national laws with the UN conventions and the design of national drug control strategies. Governments have been involved in legistative, judicial and law enforcement actions related to drug control. However, very little has been done both at national and regional level to comprehensively address the problem of drug abuse by involving all sectors of society.

1.2. The strengthening of public information and awareness through partnerships with the media, the private sector and other relevant sectors of society is essential. Advocacy in this context is crucial to stimulate dialogue by informing, generating opinions and actions. As a result of awareness provoked by advocacy, coalitions can be built, inter-country and in-country dialogue can be enhanced and a space for co-operation and sharing of best practices can be created.

The Action :

1.3. Participating countries will urgently enhance national and regional public awareness and understanding of the drug problems through the designing of their public communication strategy and community outreach programmes.

Participating countries are committed to develop a strong information and communication strategy which will also take into consideration the related threats of organised crime activities, such as transnational organised crime, corruption, money laundering and trafficking in human beings. At least 30% of participating countries will have their communication strategy in operation by the year 2003 and all countries by the year 2005.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China will facilitate partnerships with all sectors of society, private sector and media, and a comprehensive plan in this area by the end of the year 2001.

1.4. Prioritise areas for social partnership in response to the dangers of drugs, in particular new drugs:

Non-governmental organisations and public institutions will be encouraged to participate in the regional mobilisation against drugs: schools and universities, sport clubs, transportation and entertainment industries, research institutions, religious institutions, tourist sector etc.

Production and dissemination of information and awareness material (posters, video-clips, stickers), through non-governmental organisations and through popular venues (bars, discos, pubs, cinemas, etc.) will be among the selected tools.

Governments will ensure that messages are culturally appropriate, strategically targeted and effective through the use of carefully identified language, images, situations and moods. The impact on public opinion will be continuously monitored.

Promotion of healthy life style through sports, use of performing arts as a vehicle for developing consciousness against illegal drugs (animation, drama, folklore, theatre, cultural themes, concerts); use of popular comedians, musicians and actors to be spokespersons of anti- drugs messages; encouragement of performances on drugs and crime theme and other activities will be considered as vehicles for raising awareness.

Each participating country will evaluate the above mentioned programmes and share the experience with other countries with the support of UNDCP, ASEAN and China by the year 2003.

1.5. Media will be encouraged to share burden in awareness building.

Selected personnel from news agencies and other media establishments will be invited to disseminate information utilising all forms of media technology.

A series of substantive feature articles on drug control issues for the printed press will be produced and appear at regular intervals in major magazines and / or newspapers of the region; encouraging awareness through media campaigns within a clearly identified public relations strategy.

UNDCP and ASEAN will establish by the year 2002 an ASEAN Media Award for Drug Awareness Promotion.

1.6 Private sector and corporate advocacy will be raised.

The private sector will be engaged in raising awareness of the dangers and impact of drugs in the workplace and society, and in preventing the onset of drug abuse by drawing upon their capacities to develop effective marketing strategies. The support and direct involvement of the business community will be obtained for information programmes.

UN/ESCAP, in consultation with UNDCP and ASEAN, is invited to facilitate a task force to develop this initiative.

The Challenge :

2.1. The demand reduction targets are significantly challenged in the region by the alarming emergence of trends toward illicit drug abuse, particularly synthetic substances such as amphetaminetype stimulants (ATS) including methamphetamine and ecstasy, an amphetamine-type derivative. Serious concerns have been raised about the abuse of ATS among young populations for instrumental purposes having social value, facilitating communication and creating a sense of belonging. The trend toward ATS as part of mainstream culture presents increasing risk to individual and public security represented by drug related medical and social problems toward which responses by government and all sectors of society in the region are lacking or absent. At the same time, the enduring trend toward ATS abuse among specific economic sectors and workplaces such as the land transport industry carry serious social risks in the forms of industrial and road accidents.

2.2. The HIV/AIDS epidemic and the nexus between drug abuse and HIV infection is also a grave concern. The continuing trend toward injection drug use, related transmission among users, and related infection to general population through high risk sexual practice is at the core of this emerging trend.¹⁾

2.3. Previous ASEAN drug control plans and the Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control (1995) ²⁾ recognise their responsibilities to address the issues of illicit drug consumption and to initiate action that is consistent with the Declaration on the guiding principles of drug demand reduction. A target year of 2003 has been established within the UN General Assembly Political Declaration (1998) for new or enhanced drug demand reduction strategies and programmes, to be set up in close collaboration with public health, social welfare and law enforcement authorities. These nations are also committed to achieve significant and measurable results in the field of demand reduction by the year 2008.

2.4. To abate the rising ATS drug abuse trends and establish proactive strategies for effective responses to other new drug trends, nations of the region have recognised the importance of simultaneous national and regional actions. These are represented for example in the outcomes of the Conference on Amphetamine-type Stimulants in East and Southeast Asia, 2000. In order for these actions to take effect within the overall demand reduction targets, intermediate goats, mechanisms and responsibilities require the following actions.

The Action :

2.5. ATS abuse surveillance, monitoring and response capabilities should be enhanced.

Drug control agencies will lead the development or consolidation of data collection systems to survey and monitor the extent and trends in ATS abuse by convening or supporting the enhancement of existing national/regional epidemiology working groups by the first quarter of year 2001 for the national integration of data collection systems, methods and reporting effective by the end of year 2003.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China through the Global Assessment Programme, will provide technical assistance for the development of data collection systems that meet international standards, for the development of technical competence in system management, and in assessment methodology and reporting by the end of year 2003.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China will establish a regional clearinghouse on information relating to ATS in the region and elsewhere; in special cooperation with governments and nongovernmental organizations that have prioritized commitments to national and regional actions by the end of year 2003.

UNDCP in conjunction with member countries will establish guidelines for best practice in all substantive areas of response to ATS abuse. The practices will be developed and widely disseminated through a proposed clearinghouse, the media, special reports, and the Internet. A special review committee will facilitate such tasks by 2003.

2.6. Primary prevention of drug abuse, particularly ATS abuse, through government and community responses will be developed.

Participating countries will establish respective national task forces on primary prevention by 2002, incorporating strategies to alert the public to the adverse effects of ATS abuse white also initiating effective community based action, with the direct participation of target audiences, including youth in and out of school, in the planning and delivery of measured responses by 2004.

UNDCP and ASEAN will provide technical and financial assistance within the strategic framework of national ATS primary prevention, including the development of suitable sustainable methods and measures to effect and gage the response to ATS trends by 2004. Reports will be issued and national information and programme development will be regionally exchanged biennially from 2004 to 2008.

2.7. Treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration for drug abuse, especially synthetic substance abuse including ATS, will be improved.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China in conjunction with WHO, ILO and other interested concerned UN agencies will convene a regional forum of experts in 2001 to establish guidelines for the development of national protocols for the medico-social treatment and rehabilitation of ATS abuse and dependence, and as necessary provide technical assistance in the elaboration and delivery of national protocols.

Treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration protocols need to be scientifically evaluated (evidence-based studies) to ensure that it remains effective in consonance with the changing patterns of the problem.

Participating countries, in association with their respective national health agencies will establish special task forces to develop the necessary levels of services and expertise for treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration that are appropriate to both acute and chronic ATS related abuse problems; according to the national severity of the ATS problems; inclusive of community based approaches, and within a measurable programme framework, by 2006.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China will jointly provide a forum for the exchange of information and experience in ATS treatment programme development through biennial regional meetings, commencing in 2003;

Participating countries will, with the support of UNDCP and other regional and multilateral agencies, establish working groups with the participation of drug control, judicial and correctional agencies to review the advantage and disadvantage of punitive measures toward the incarceration of ATS abusers (distinct from traffickers) taking due account of the importance of treatment and rehabilitation in a community context by 2003.

2.8. HIV vulnerability from drug abuse will be reduced.

Through the development of inter-departmental working arrangements of national drug control and health agencies, and with the assistance of UNDCP and UNAIDS at the regional and country programmes levels, specific joint plans of action will be devised by 2002 for the effective prevention, intervention and management of adverse public health and social consequences of injection drug abuse. The plans will be organized according to the extent of national injection drug abuse problems and within the context of both community participation, the availability of suitable resources and the need to assure accessibility to basic drug demand reduction services.

2.9. Non Governmental and Community Based Organisations will be strengthened.

Participating countries, within their national structures for community participation and through their respective agencies responsible for decentralized community development, will develop support mechanisms, training and incentives for increased community organization and action for the prevention of illicit drug abuse, including ATS abuse, commencing in 2001 and continuing thereafter.

UNDCP, ASEAN and China and other regional bodies will, through the UN/ESCAP Regional Coordination Meeting (RCM) II Theme Group on Drug Control and Crime Prevention, by 2001 develop a focused plan of action for the regional development of community participation approaches to ATS prevention and treatment.

2.10. The priority to deal with ATS demand will be built into national policies.

Participating countries recognize that the fight against synthetic drugs must anticipate ATS as preferred substances in the 21 century. Therefore, due consideration will be given to incorporating policies and programmes that combat the demand for ATS into national drug control priorities. Annual drug control forums of UNDCP and its national counterparts, such as the meeting of Senior Officials for the Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control will be used in part to review progress in the national development of policies addressing ATS demand, and determine specific forms of external assistance, if required. This process will be initiated as part of the next annual meeting of Senior Officials and continue up to 2008.

The Challenge :

3.1. Despite continuous efforts to reduce opium cultivation, Southeast Asia as a whole is still the second largest source of opium production in the world. The total production of opium in the subregion is estimated as close to 1250 tons in 1999 with the cultivation areas of approximately 114,000 hectares. It should be noted that surveys and analyses indicated a decreasing production in 1999 compared with previous years. The decrease in production of opium mainly depends on lower yield due to poor climate conditions but also partly because of efforts by governments to reduce the production.

3.2. On the other hand, the production and trafficking and abuse of ATS has increased significantly during the last 2-3 years and are reaching record levels in some countries of the region. ATS has been the drug of choice and the drug is cheap to produce creating large profits for manufacturers and traffickers. Reports have indicated that heroin producers are changing to ATS and combined production is taking place in some sites. The trend upwards seems to continue and the production, trafficking and abuse of ATS is seen to be a grave threat to regional security.

3.3. Many efforts have been focusing on law enforcement while the rest of the judicial system has been struggling with limited resources. Judicial systems throughout the region have improved their capacities to tackle the problem, but joint efforts on national and regional level by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and judges are urgently needed to strengthen the rule of law.

3.4. Criminal networks that benefit from the sale of illicit drugs should be denied access to the profits.

The Action :

3.5. Law enforcement training will be enhanced

Law enforcement training should be enhanced in the participating countries by using computer based training which will result in cost saving, efficient and standardized training for the whole region. The training should be delivered in all ASEAN countries and China by year 2004.

Through the support of UNDCP and ASEAN, participating countries will use the experience of the subregional project Enhancement of Drug Law Enforcement Training in East Asia as a best practice model for future joint training initiatives.

Participating countries are encouraged to use appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the funding of such initiatives.

3.6. Precursor control will be strengthened

The diversion and trafficking of precursor chemicals in East Asia is a matter of concern and should be curtailed in order to reduce the manufacture of heroin and synthetic drugs, such as ATS, in the region. Governments will take efficient measures to improve precursor control and regional cooperation by developing adequate laws and regulations. Participating countries should ensure that controlling agencies are adequately trained in precursor control issues. These initiatives should be in place by end of year 2004.

UNDCP and ASEAN Secretariat are required to support selected countries through a regional project to be started by 2001. Participating countries are encouraged to use appropriate mechanisms to facilitate the funding of such initiatives.

3.7. International cooperation will be strengthened

National law enforcement operational procedures will be strengthened in the region to enhance cooperation in the application and enforcement of drug control legislation with a focus on the methods described in the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. Increased capacity will be established to gather, analyze and exchange drug law enforcement information both on national and regional levels. A regional mechanism among drug law enforcement agencies for the exchange of operational information should be developed and operational by end of year 2002:

UNDCP and ASEAN Secretariat will support the governments as appropriate by taking advantage of regional projects related to international cooperation. International organizations within the field of law enforcement cooperation should be encouraged to provide support. UNDCP, ASEAN and China will be responsible for monitoring the cooperative activities.

3.8. Judicial drug control capacity will be enhanced

Participating countries are encouraged to consider developing programmes by year 2001 to enhance the understanding of judges and prosecutors in the region in the operational implications of anti-drug enforcement and in United Nations Conventions on international and regional co-operation on mutual legal assistance. A regional support mechanism should be developed to promote collaboration against illicit drug trafficking and diversion of precursor chemicals.

3.9. Money laundering legislation and authorities will be developed

Participating countries will facilitate all appropriate cooperation to draft, approve and/or improve legislation against money laundering.

At least 30% of all countries will have a competent authority to control money laundering by the year 2004. All countries will do their utmost to have a competent authority to control money laundering by the year 2008.

UNDCP and ASEAN will provide technical assistance to achieve these results.

The Challenge :

4.1 The general objectives of alternative development intervention are to reduce the supply of raw materials for drug production and consequently to consolidate a licit economy, allowing regions to return to the mainstream of the country’s economic and social development. The two objectives are interrelated. Most if not all alternative development efforts will have two interrelated dimensions - advocacy on the dangers of drug production, consumption, and alternative and sustainable economic and social development through community mobilisation. Experience has shown that alternative development projects in the illicit crop production areas are effective towards breaking the areas’ isolation. They are directed at people who are cut off from the main stream of licit society and are left with illicit economy as their only option.

4.2. Integrating isolated areas into mainstream economy is a complicated task. Sufficient financial resources can persuade villagers in one village to substitute illicit crops with licit ones. However, such substitution might create a balloon effect (spill over of illicit crops into other areas) resulting in an increase in production in other areas without however impacting on the total overall production. Essential to the success of alternative development is the need for institutional management capabilities relevant for understanding, planning and managing the integrated approaches required. Such approaches must be accepted and addressed in all institutions involved in planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation. A broad spectrum of government services has to reach the single villages and be available for their inhabitants in order to break their isolation.

4.3. Alternative development as a means to reducing illicit drug crop cultivation has been implemented for 20 years. Lessons learned and significant experience has been accumulated by UNDCP and its partner agencies around the world. Such experiences show that alternative development can work if the essential conditions are applied.

The Action :

4.4. Participating countries will improve national and subregional capacities to identify and measure illicit crops cultivation. An internationally reliable methodology for poppy monitoring and verification that employs the use of satellite, aerial, and ground survey data is being developed and should be applied to the region as soon as possible. The validity of the system will be tested in project areas and the results of the technical design will be made available to other countries. Participating countries expect that the results will be ready for joint evaluation by 2003.

4.5. Participating countries will improve bilateral and regional cooperation among concerned institutions to reduce illicit crops cultivation through alternative development. National capacity building and lessons sharing programmes will be designed to strengthen knowledge and skills of policy makers and practitioners and to promote sharing of knowledge and experience on alternative development in East Asia. A comprehensive and accessible pool of knowledge on alternative development approaches, farmer experience, and the link to development effectiveness will be established in the region. The pool of knowledge should be established and best practice networks should be self sustainable by year 2003. UNDCP and ASEAN Secretariat are invited to convene a task force towards this goal as soon as possible.

4.6. The growing of illicit opium poppy should be eliminated in the region by year 2008 as referred to by UNGASS. Accordingly, 33% reduction of all illicit production will be achieved by 2003, and 66% by the year 2005. To this end international assistance is invited.

4.7. UNDCP and ASEAN Secretariat are invited to inform participating countries on the progress towards the achievement of such biannually.

The Challenge :

5.1. Drug control in South East Asia is currently being addressed by numerous different bodies and is divided into a complex variety of specialised technical fields: police, customs, immigration, sea / airport security, navy and coastguard, border control, intelligence, precursor, drug and precursor testing, international conventions and national legislation, control of money laundering, witness protection, assets seizures and forfeitures, substance abuse in the workplace, treatment and rehabilitation, in-prison treatment, public awareness, epidemio-logical surveys, health and family education etc.

5.2. It is estimated that more than a hundred national, regional and international drug control bodies have a mandate, a structure, and a work plan with the goal of reducing drug abuse and drug trafficking in the region. Certainly there is a common vision of a drug-free ASEAN. However, interpretation and strategies are still highly fragmented and often not enough focussed on the overall picture.

While each specialised technical field can excel in its competence, the insufficiency, often inefficiency and/or absence of coordination among them can result in the duplication of efforts, misuse and waste of resources. While every piece of the jigsaw might be a perfect artwork in a particular speciality, the complete picture is hardly recognisable.

Rethinking collaboration with the aim of achieving efficiency and substance in the delivery of outputs is therefore crucial.

5.3. Policy-makers of ASEAN and China have jointly decided to facilitate the establishment of a co-operative network linking all the countries and regional policy making and activities quickly, securely and directly so that information can be more closely coordinated internally and regionally. The mechanism serves to improve the co-operation capacities and communication capabilities of international organisations, intergovern-mental bodies and multilateral agencies to pursue more effective action in drug control programmes. The mechanism will be accountable to all stakeholders in the region - with UNDCP’s guidance as appropriate - which will also ensure the linking and integration of the activities undertaken by the various national, regional and international drug control bodies.

The Action :

5.4. A framework for collection and appropriate trend analysis of all data relevant to international drug control cooperation and for a secure computer based network connecting all national and international drug control bodies of the Region should be designed.

Such a mechanism will represent a joint tool for monitoring the progress towards the achievement of the goals established in the Accord Plan of Action.

All participating countries and international organisations will share the responsibility of data collection as well as the monitoring of the process. The resulting information will be available to all participating bodies.

As far as possible, countries and subregional drug abuse profiles will be compiled and continuously updated.

5.5. The mechanism - as broadly defined above-should be operational on a permanent basis by the end of the year 2001. ³⁾

A first task force meeting of the ASEAN and China coordination mechanism will be convened by mid year 2002 and submit the first progress report on all targets established in this Plan of Action.

5.6. Last but not least, sharing of responsibility in the funding of Accord will be essential. All possible forms of cooperation must be optimised including donations of information technology already developed by participating countries as well as secondment of human resources according to national legislation and practices.

UNDCP and ASEAN will raise funds from funding sources for financing ASEAN Three Year Plan Action on Drug Abuse Control and the Accord Plan of Action and for assisting the countries in the execution of these plans of action.

UNDCP and ASEAN Secretariat will publish annually a report of funds made available to the multi-lateral fight against drugs in the Region.

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