Substance Control Ecosystem
Psychoactive substances are regulated under three key United Nations conventions, agreed by Member States to safeguard public health and prevent illegal drug production:
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1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs – focused on substances such as cannabis, cocaine and opium.
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1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances – introduced controls on newer psychoactive drugs, including amphetamine-type stimulants (e.g. MDMA), barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hallucinogens like LSD.
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1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances – targeted the trafficking and misuse of chemical precursors, also addressing money laundering and strengthening international cooperation.
Together, these conventions create a global framework to limit drug use to medical and scientific purposes, while curbing diversion into illicit markets.
