Worldwide efforts against illicit drugs have shown "signs of progress," according to a report submitted to the U.N. Commission on Narcotic Drugs, which opened its 46th session yesterday in Vienna.  In the report, U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa cited progress in four major elements of the international drug policy -- demand reduction, supply reduction, international cooperation and overall drug control policy.

A ministerial-level discussion of progress made toward meeting the goals of the 1998 General Assembly 10-year plan against illegal drugs will be held during the last two days of the session, April 16-17.

Also during the meeting, the commission is to discuss new challenges such as the dramatic increase in HIV/AIDS related to drug use, especially along drug trafficking routes, and the spread of synthetic drugs (UNODC release, April 8).