International Opium Commission

A plaque which commemorates International Opium Commission, outside of the Peace Hotel on the Bund.

International Opium Commission was a notable event in the history of international drug control and diplomacy, marking the first major attempt to address the global issues of opium trade and addiction through international cooperation. The commission laid the groundwork for future drug control treaties and policies, influencing the international approach to drug regulation and prohibition.

Background

The opium trade in the 19th and early 20th centuries had significant social and economic impacts on many countries, particularly in Asia. The widespread addiction to opium in China, exacerbated by the British opium trade, led to two Opium Wars and a series of unequal treaties that allowed foreign powers to control significant aspects of China's economy and governance. In response to domestic and international pressures, the Chinese government sought to curb opium production and consumption.

Formation

The International Opium Commission was convened in response to an initiative by the United States and China, aiming to bring international attention to the problems of opium. In 1909, representatives from thirteen countries met in Shanghai to discuss the opium issue. The countries represented at the commission included the major powers of the time, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Japan, and several European countries.

Objectives and Proceedings

The primary objective of the International Opium Commission was to gather information on opium production, trade, and consumption and to discuss possible measures to control it. The commission was not empowered to negotiate binding treaties, but it aimed to set the stage for future international agreements by fostering dialogue and understanding among the participating countries.

During the sessions, delegates presented reports on the opium situation in their respective countries and discussed various control measures, including the regulation of opium sales, taxation, and the eventual suppression of the opium trade. The commission's findings highlighted the complexity of the opium issue, involving not only health and social problems but also economic and international political dimensions.

Outcomes

The International Opium Commission concluded with a set of non-binding resolutions that called for the gradual suppression of the opium trade and the implementation of national control measures. Although the commission did not result in immediate concrete actions, it was a significant first step towards international cooperation on drug control.

The discussions and resolutions of the commission paved the way for the first international drug control treaty, the International Opium Convention, signed in The Hague in 1912. This treaty marked the beginning of a series of international agreements aimed at regulating the production and distribution of narcotic substances.

Legacy

The International Opium Commission is considered a landmark in the history of international drug control policy. It demonstrated the feasibility of international cooperation on complex social and economic issues and set a precedent for future international efforts to regulate drugs and address the problems associated with drug addiction and trafficking.