The 98th International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) meeting in Vienna, Austria from 3-14 May 2010 elected Dr. Sri Suryawati, Apt Second Vice-President and Chair of the Standing Commitee on Estimates. To hold this position is prideful because the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) is under the UN Secretary General.
As an independent quasi-judicial body in the UN, INCB has the duty to monitor the implementation of UN international conventions related to the monitoring of narcotics, psychotropics and precursor. It has the duty to ensure that the need for narcotics and psychotropics for medical and research has been met and that there is no leakage into illegal mechanisms.
In addition, at country level or internationally, it has the task to closely monitor illegal attempts. In carrying out its task, the INBC always coordinates with the government and other international agencies such as WHO, Interpol, and World Custom Organization (WCO).
"This achivement is made possible due to the kindness of the leadership, Rector, Dean and Heads of Units who have given me freedom to have a role in this area," Sri Suryawati said in the Faculty of Medicine UGM on Thursday (5/8).
Suryawati explained that there are 13 members of INCB consisting of 10 bureaucrats proposed by their governments and three experts nominated by World Health Organization (WHO) for their medical, pharmacology and pharmacy. Indonesia is one of the eight developing countries (South Africa, China, India, Iran, Colombia, Mexico and Thailand) whose citizens have joined the INCB. INCB membership is determined by the election done by 53 countries joining the ECOSOC (UN-Economic and Social Council) headquartered in New York.
"After being elected, each member works based on independent personal capacity, not representing countries or any other interests. Indonesia's representation in this institution is very important as it is strategically located in Asia and has big attention and interest in the handling of illegal drugs," said the coordinator of Program S2-IKM UGM majoring in Drug Policy.
Suryawati has been a member of INCB since 2007. She admitted that she has not made contributions but she had played an active role ever since in various INCB meetings. "In 2009 I was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Estimates," she explained.
Her job as Second Vice-President and Chair of Standing Committee on Estimates must be a prideful achievement because the committee works all year to ensure the balanced amounts of supply and need of narcotics and psychotropics for medical and research. "They also have the duty to ensure the adequacy for global supplies. Currently, there are only two female members of INCB, a representative from Germany and myself," she added.
Dean of the Faculty, Prof. dr. Ali Ghufron Mukti, M.Sc., Ph.D, highly appreciated the achievement. He hoped that this kind of dedication would be followed by other staff of the Faculty. "Dr. Sri Suryawati's role in INCB brought pride to us, not only UGM Faculty of Medicine, but also Indonesia," he described.