The International Narcotics Control Board, an independent body whose members are elected by the U.N. Economic and Social Council, yesterday began a 12-day meeting in Vienna at which members are to discuss the effects of illicit drug cultivation, trade and abuse on economic development.  The board is also expected to adopt an annual report that highlights development.

Only 1 percent of drug profits go to growers, according to the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.  Philip Emafo, the board's president, said the other 99 percent is "earned by drug trafficking groups operating at various other points along the drug trafficking chain."

The board has sent missions to 16 countries since it last met in May and will review reports on those missions at the current meeting.  It will also review world supply and demand for medical narcotics and psychotropics and be briefed by a World Health Organization representative on health-related drug issues (ODC release, Nov. 4).