The Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session for a better future for the peoples of the Islamic Ummah) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17 to 19 Dhul Quida 1418H (15-17 March 1998),

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conferences and the other previous resolutions adopted by the 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th Sessions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers on the Control of Narcotics and Drug Abuse;

Expressing its concern at the manufacture and illegal trafficking as well as the widespread abuse of drugs which endanger the health of millions, particularly among young people;

Noting with concern the new dimensions of the ever growing narcotics problem which is threatening the social and economic fabric of the afflicted countries;

Taking into consideration the results achieved by the United Nations and its specialized agencies in the field of drug abuse, including the declaration and comprehensive multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in drug abuse adopted by the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking and the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances;

Noting with appreciation the Universal Declaration on the Global Programme of Action adopted by the 17th Special Session of the United Nations' General Assembly held in New York, in February 1990, and the Declaration of the London Conference on Control of Cocaine and restriction of drugs in April 1990;

Reaffirming its conviction of the need to supervise the manufacture, trafficking, import and export of drugs and psychotropic substances, in accordance with the 1961 single convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1988 Convention on Narcotic Drugs against illegal trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances;

Recognizing the importance of taking measures to control drug materials including chemicals and solvents which are used in the manufacture of drugs and psychotropic substances, the availability of which has increased their illicit processing;

Affirming the guiding principles of the prevailing treaties on control of narcotics and psychotropic substances as well as the control system embodied in these treaties;

Realizing the urgent need for Member States and the relevant international organizations to exert concerted and coordinated efforts to eradicate the problem of abuse, trafficking and smuggling into Islamic countries, of narcotics and psychotropic substances;

Reviewing the effects of drug abuse and its illegal production, processing and trafficking on Member States;

Recalling that the teachings of the true Islamic religion categorically forbid the use and trafficking in drugs;

Having considered the Secretary General's Report on the subject,

1. Requests the Member States to diligently follow up the guidelines contained in the recommendations made by the OIC Expert Group meeting held from 18 to 20 October 1988 in Istanbul, Turkey, on the effective measures to combat the problem of narcotic drugs in all its aspects and dimensions, including illicit production, processing and trafficking.

2. Urges the Member States to coordinate their efforts and harmonize their systems with respect to the licit production and trade of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the framework of the relevant international organizations.

3. Also urges the Member States to give greater attention to the propagation of religious consciousness and discussion within their respective educational institutions, mass media and Dawa fora on the gravity of the production, use and trafficking in drugs as well as their categorical prohibition from the religious and legal viewpoints.

4. Welcomes the measures taken by some Member States to draw attention to the damaging effect of narcotics and affirms the importance of preventive measures including the need for crop/income substitution and accessibility to international markets for substitution products.

5. Urges Member States to participate actively in international meetings and symposia in this regard, especially those organize by the United Nations, its Specialized Agencies and Organs and requests the Secretary General to coordinate with Member States in this area and to cooperate with the UNDCP (United Nations International Drug Control Programme) in Vienna and the commission on Narcotic Drugs of the Economic and Social Commission especially as part of preparations for the Special Session of UN General Assembly on International Drug Control in New York, in June 1998.

6. Requests the Member States to continue to intensify their cooperation and to exchange information and technical expertise to control narcotic drugs.

7. Requests the Secretary General to take appropriate steps for the implementation of this Resolution and submit a report thereon to the 26th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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