SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS FOR ACTION TO COMBAT DRUG SCOURGE, IN MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE/TRAFFICKING, 26 JUNE
Press Release
SG/SM/6265/Rev.1*
SOC/NAR/761/Rev.1
SECRETARY-GENERAL APPEALS FOR ACTION TO COMBAT DRUG SCOURGE, IN MESSAGE FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE/TRAFFICKING, 26 JUNE
19970619 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Following is the text of a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June):There is now no part of the world that, sadly, is not touched by the scourge of drug abuse. Indeed, drug abuse is a growing problem almost everywhere. And one of the most grim aspects of this global problem is that it affects most those who are most vulnerable: young people. My appeal this year is for united action everywhere -- at the national and local level and down to the individual family -- to attack this threat to human life and basic human security.
It is alarming that many individuals are beginning to experiment with drugs at ever-younger ages. New drugs are growing in popularity, because young people in many societies wrongly imagine them to be safer than more traditional drugs like heroin and cocaine. That is why we must make it absolutely clear that any misuse of drugs carries high risk.
The United Nations is working hard to combat the escalating problem of drug abuse. Governments are working through the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and other United Nations agencies to halt the manufacture of illicit drugs, to prevent smuggling across borders and to tackle all the other complex problems drug abuse entails. Indeed, in June next year, a Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly will meet to take stock of progress at the international level and to agree on future courses of action.
But as in medicine itself, prevention is better than cure. Our first priority must be to reduce the exposure of young people to drug abuse. In doing so, we must all work together. Our communities have a leading role to play.
* Revised to include embargo until 26 June.
- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6265/Rev.1 SOC/NAR/761 19 June 1997
My statement today is therefore an appeal to all communities to act now, whether or not you have drug abuse problems in your midst. It is in communities and their institutions that action to prevent drug abuse should be rooted.
Build on what is positive, offer challenges -- because negative messages are unlikely to have long-term impact. Simple, honest facts should be presented. Special attention needs to be given to the especially vulnerable -- migrants, refugees -- whose lives have been disrupted, and to young people in situations where strong role models are absent.
We all owe a debt of gratitude to those schools, parents, non- governmental organizations, businesses and other community groups which are already doing outstanding work in drug abuse prevention. To those who are still sitting on the sidelines I would say: "Do not shirk your responsibilities. Do not stand by while others do the work."
The problems are enormous, but I am convinced that individuals, communities and governments, acting together, can make a difference.
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