Resolution 54/3. Ensuring the availability of reference and test samples of controlled substances at drug testing laboratories for scientific purposes

Recalling the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971, in which it is recognized that the use of psychotropic substances for scientific purposes is indispensable and that their availability for such purposes should not be unduly restricted,

Recalling also its resolution 53/4 of 12 March 2010, in which the Commission stressed the importance of promoting adequate availability of internationally controlled drugs for scientific purposes while preventing their diversion and abuse,

Recognizing also that the reliability of the analysis and results of such laboratories has significant implications for the justice system, law enforcement and preventive health care, as well as for the international harmonization of data and worldwide exchange and coordination of drug information, and that access to reference samples of controlled substances is an essential quality assurance requirement for achieving such reliability,

1. Encourages the International Narcotics Control Board to continue its efforts to ensure the adequate availability of internationally controlled substances for scientific purposes, and encourages the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to consider providing adequate specifications of their quality, as far as they are available;

2. Requests Member States, in consultation with the International Narcotics Control Board and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to review national procedures within their policy and legislative frameworks, as appropriate and in accordance with the provisions of the Conventions, in order not to impair access to reference and test samples of internationally controlled substances for scientific purposes;

3. Invites the International Narcotics Control Board and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to work closely on feasible mechanisms that will facilitate the provision of minimal but sufficient amounts of reference and test samples of controlled substances to drug testing laboratories, including through the reinforcement of existing national programmes, as appropriate, in order to support their analytical and quality assurance work, and notes that such mechanisms may include the designation of national contact points, preferably the laboratories that are part of the Office’s International Collaborative Exercise programme, and the implementation of efficient administrative procedures governing access to reference and test samples of controlled substances