Book excerpt: This commentary on the 1988 Convention against the illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances, which entered into force on 11 November 1990, will provide further understanding of the contents & objectives of the Convention. In their firm commitment to aggressively confront the challenges of the drug problem, Governments will find the publication an extremely useful tool in the practical implementation of the Convention. The Commentary is divided into five functional parts: General Provisions, Substantive Provisions, Implementation Provisions, Final Clauses & Tables Annexed to the Convention. In addition to the introduction which gives an overview of the genesis of the Convention from its conception by the General Assembly in December of 1984 to its adoption in December 1988.