Drug strategy
United Nations & drugs
When States become Members of the United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations.
The aims of the United Nations
According to this Charter, the UN has four purposes:
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to maintain international peace and security
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to develop friendly relations among nations
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to cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for human rights
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to be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations.
Although there are many welfare gains to be had from open trade and flow of public goods, globalisation has created an environment where illicit drugs, crime and terrorism cross national borders. Therefore, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aims to help Governments implement their obligations under the international treaties including the UN Drug Control Conventions.
Key organisations
