The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is an agency that was established in 1997 as a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Program and the Center for International Crime Prevention. The UNODC is one of the main players in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime; it is present and active worldwide through offices that are operating in many regions. The UNODC mandate is to help and assist member states in controlling their domestic struggle with drugs and crime though several programs. These programs include field-based assistance that seeks to enhance member states' ability to combat their respective problems pertaining to drugs and crime. It also provides the necessary research and analytical skills required to disseminate information and understanding of drug and crime related issues. Finally, it helps member states with the technical work in ratifying and implementing the relevant international treaties as well as helping develop domestic legislation. In addition to these programs, the UNODC also publishes an annual World Drug Report, which constitutes as an all-inclusive assessment of the international drug situation at the time of publication.