United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Topic: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

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Kratika Sharma

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What is UNODC ?

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) contributes to global peace and security, sustainable development and human rights by helping to make the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime, in addition to being responsible for implementing the United Nations lead programme on terrorism. UNODC has approximately 500 staff members worldwide. Its headquarters are in Vienna and it operates 20 field offices, as well as liaison offices in New York and Brussels.

UNODC has 20 field offices covering over 150 countries. By working directly with Governments and non-governmental organizations, UNODC field staffs develop and implement drug control and crime prevention programmes tailored to countries' particular needs.

History

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC; French: Office des Nations unies contre la drogue et le crime) is a United Nations office that was established in 1997 as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna, adopting the current name in 2002.

The United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna were merged to form the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention. This was renamed United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2002.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been present in India since 1989, when it established a regional office for South Asia in New Delhi. Here's a brief history of UNODC India:

1. 1989: UNODC sets up a regional office for South Asia in New Delhi to address drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the region.

2. 1990s: UNODC India focuses on: - Drug demand reduction and treatment - Drug law enforcement and border control - International cooperation and training.

3. 2000s: UNODC India expands its work to include: - Counter-terrorism - Anti-money laundering and financial investigations - Cybercrime and digital forensics - Prison reform and criminal justice.

4. 2009: UNODC India launches the "South Asia Regional Programme" to address transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.

5. 2010s: UNODC India strengthens its focus on:

- Human trafficking and migrant smuggling - Wildlife crime and environmental crime

- Substance abuse prevention and treatment - Criminal justice reform and prison management.

6. 2019: UNODC India launches the "Substance Use Prevention and Treatment" project to address drug abuse and dependence.

Aims and functions:

UNODC works in all regions of the world through normative expertise, research, regional and global programmes and our extensive network of field offices to help Member States in:

• Tackling the world drug problem through balanced, evidence-based responses to address drug abuse and drug use disorders, as well as the production and trafficking of illicit drugs

• Preventing corruption by promoting integrity and good governance and helping recover stolen assets

• Countering terrorism through effective, accountable and inclusive legal, crime prevention and criminal justice measures in line with international norms and the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy.

• Combating organized crime by providing technical assistance and support and strengthening international cooperation to address organized criminal activity and all forms of trafficking

• Preventing crime and promoting criminal justice through human rights-based and victim centered approaches that strengthen the rule of law and access to justice.

The office aims long-term to better equip governments to handle drug-, crime-, terrorism-, and corruption-related issues, to maximize knowledge on these issues among governmental institutions and agencies, and also to maximize awareness of said matters in public opinion, globally, nationally and at community level. Approximately 90% of the Office's funding comes from voluntary contributions, mainly from governments.

These are the main themes that UNODC deals with: alternative development, anti-corruption, criminal justice, prison reform and crime prevention, drug prevention, treatment and care, HIV and AIDS, human trafficking and migrant smuggling, money laundering, organized crime, piracy, terrorism prevention.

UNODC India works on the following areas:

1. Drug Demand Reduction: Implementing programs to prevent drug abuse, treat drug dependence, and promote healthy lifestyles

2. Counter-Terrorism: Strengthening law enforcement and judicial responses to terrorism, and promoting international cooperation.

3. Anti-Money Laundering: Assisting India in developing and implementing effective anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) measures.

4. Cybercrime: Enhancing India's capacity to investigate and prosecute cybercrime, and promoting international cooperation.

5. Prison Reform: Supporting India in improving prison management, rehabilitation, and reintegration of prisoners.

6. Human Trafficking: Combating human trafficking, especially women and children, through capacity building, awareness, and support to victims.

7. Wildlife Crime: Assisting India in combating wildlife crime, including poaching and smuggling of endangered species.

8. Substance Abuse Treatment: Strengthening treatment systems for drug use disorders, including opioid dependence.

9. Harm Reduction: Implementing harm reduction programs for injecting drug users, including needle exchange and opioid substitution therapy.

10. Research and Analysis: Conducting research and analysis on drug abuse, crime, and terrorism trends in India and the region.

11. Capacity Building: Providing training and capacity-building programs for law enforcement, judicial officials, and other stakeholders.

12. International Cooperation: Facilitating international cooperation and coordination to address transnational organized crime and drug trafficking.

References:

• https://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/what_we_do/Brochure.pdf

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Office_on_Drugs_and_Crime

• https://www.unov.org/unov/en/unodc.html

• https://www.unodc.org/res/about-unodc/Visio-UNODC_incl_abbrev_overall_1_August_2023.pdf

• https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/about-unodc/index.html

• https://www.unodc.org/documents/Advocacy-Section/UNODC-at-a-glance_PRINT.pdf

• https://www.unodc.org/southasia/en/frontpage/2009/staffprofile/south-asia-staff-profile.html

• https://www.unodc.org/southasia//frontpage/2023/June/india_-unodc-strengthens-indian-law-enforcement-responses-to-address-the-drug-problem-with-capacity-building-and-knowledge-sharing.html

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