The role of the South American Agreement on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the fight against illicit drug trafficking.

The States Parties to the South American Agreement on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (ASEP), which entered into force on 26 March 1976, decided to co-ordinate measures to achieve close co-operation and the efficient exchange of information between States Parties to the Agreement in the fight against drug abuse and illicit drug traffic. To this end, ASEP organizes regional and international training courses, seminars and conferences on the subject of illicit drug trafficking; facilitates permanent exchange of information between the States Parties to the Agreement regarding drug law enforcement techniques and the methods resorted to by illicit traffickers; and maintains close technical co-operation with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the United Nations and other international agencies concerned with drug control. In addition, ASEP is involved in a number of activities that indirectly contribute to the suppression of illicit drug trafficking such as: the establishment of national drug control co-ordinating bodies; co-operation between States in the area of legislative measures conducive to drug control; and the operation of a computerized system designed to facilitate contacts between the various drug law enforcement agencies of the States Parties to ASEP.