OBJECTIVE： To study the development and status quo of international narcotics and psychotropic substances （NPS） control， and to provide evidence for NPS control in China. METHODS： The development and status quo of NPS control by international organization were summarized and studied through retrieving and collecting literatures， reports and policies about NPS from domestic and foreign databases， news reports and international website.  RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS： International narcotics control dated back to opium trade with China in 19th century. International narcotics control system was established preliminarily by Shanghai conference and Haiya conference. The end of World War Ⅰ， the establishment of the League of Nations and the signing of a number of international treaties promoted the development of internal control system. Through World War Ⅱ， the establishment of the United Nations and the change of international control organization， a number of international treaties were integrated into Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in the early 1960s， which was used as the foundation of narcotics control system all round the world. In 1970s， the adoption of Convention on Psychotropic Substances meant psychotropic substances were included in the scope of internal control. In 1980s， the signing of United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances marked the establishment of three conventions system of international NPS control. At present， internal NPS control is based on three conventions system and NPS list by Commission on Narcotic Drugs， International Narcotics Control Board and United Nations International Drug Control Program. The vast majority of countries are parties to that. International control organizations and listed control have a great influence on NPS control all round the world.