UN advocates balanced international policy in war against drugs

The UN advocates a carefully balanced international policy on world drug problem, with increased focus on its prevention, treatment and also relevant economic strategies, said a senior UN official here.

"Through increased focus on public health, prevention, treatment and care as well as on economic, social and cultural effects and strategies -- we can build a multi-sector, approach founded on partnership and cooperation," said UN Deputy Secretary- General Jan Eliasson at a UN General Assembly (GA) debate on world drug problem on Thursday, Xinhua reported.

Drug trafficking was a multibillion-dollar enterprise that has infiltrated societies, governments, and national and international institutions, including those that are responsible for its control. According to President of UNGA Sam Kutesa, annual proceeds from the illicit drug market worldwide are estimated to be around $322.

Kutesa noted the link between illicit trade in drugs and terrorism financing, corruption and trafficking in small arms and light weapons, stressing the urgency of combating drug trafficking across the globe.

"Our collective efforts must focus on prevention, while also rendering treatment and care to persons affected by drug addiction and those needing help to alleviate pain and suffering," said Kutesa.

"We must also scale up interventions and international cooperation to resist and combat drug-related international organized crime," he added.

The UNGA high-level debate is one of the preparatory events leading up to the UNGA Special Session on the world drug problem in 2016, aiming to give practical advice on practices in dealing with the world drug problem.