Testimony by the Honorable John P. Walters
Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy
June 21, 2006
Multi-faceted Approach
ONDCP, the DEA, and the Department of State are working with the major PSE and Ephedrine producing/exporting countries of China, Germany, and India on a multi-faceted approach:
1) I am meeting with the ambassadors from these countries to discuss Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) and precursor control/diversion issues. To date, I have met with the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Zhou Wenzhong, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy, Ambassador R.S. Jassal and the Head of the European Union’s Delegation to the United States, John Bruton. The meetings were very positive and productive; all expressed their desire to work with the United States on solutions to this problem.
2) In late February 2006, DEA hosted a meeting in Hong Kong with Law Enforcement Officials from India, Germany, and several major PSE and ephedrine importing countries to discuss PSE and ephedrine diversion control issues. There was an overall agreement that more must be done internationally to control diversion and it was a significant first step in the process.
3) In March 2006, at the 49th United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna, Member States adopted a U.S. sponsored resolution on synthetics drugs. The resolution:
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a) Requests that countries estimate their licit need for PSE and ephedrine (in addition to precursor chemicals for ecstasy) as well as the pharmaceutical preparations containing them. By knowing countries’ licit requirements, the resolution aims to reduce surpluses and potential diversion of the precursors.
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b) Requests exporting countries to verify the authenticity of each export shipment.
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c) Urges exporting countries to provide to the International Narcotics Control Board information on all shipments of pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, licit pharmaceutical preparations containing these substances, and other chemicals.
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d) Requests member states to allow the International Narcotics Control Board to share shipment information with concerned countries’ law enforcement and regulatory authorities to prevent or interdict diverted shipments. The intent is to prevent diversion while not impeding legitimate international commerce.
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e) Requests countries to ensure that the quantity of imports is commensurate with their legitimate requirements.
Implementation of the resolution will mean that each country that exports or imports methamphetamine precursors will be pressured to take concrete actions. Our government will be working through our Embassies to encourage countries to move quickly to meet their new obligations. In addition we will continue to provide assistance, through the State Department, to the INCB to facilitate their administration of these new measures.
