SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS AND CROSS-BORDER NATURE OF DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING MAKE UN MOST SUITABLE FOR WAGING WAR

Press Release
SG/SM/7026/Rev.1*
SOC/NAR/802/Rev.1*

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS AND CROSS-BORDER NATURE OF DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING MAKE UN MOST SUITABLE FOR WAGING WAR

AGAINST THEM

Following is the text of the message of Secretary-General Kofi Annan for the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, to be observed on 26 June:

As both the twentieth century and the United Nations Decade against Drug Abuse draw to a close, we can, on this International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, be proud of the tangible progress we have made in the fight against this terrible scourge. The war, however, is far from won. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and be complacent.

As is so often the case, the most important breakthrough has been the change in our perception of the problem, which no longer appears intractable. We now recognize that solutions are attainable, provided the political will and necessary financial resources are mustered. Evidence of this breakthrough came at the General Assembly's special session, held one year ago. The governments of 185 States adopted the first ever international instruments specifically designed to combat drug problems.

With the benefit of various partners' cooperation, the United Nations International Drug Control Programme has launched new initiatives to ensure that the necessary information, technology and funds will be available on a long-term basis. The demand for, and supply of, dangerous drugs has been markedly reduced as a result. Indeed, some of the targets agreed upon this time last year may be reached ahead of schedule.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that between 3 and 4 per cent of the world's population still regularly consumes illegal substances; that intravenous drug use is still one of the leading causes of the spread of AIDS, with devastating consequences across the globe; that the consumption of some new drugs is also

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* Reissued for technical reasons. - 2 - Press Release SG/SM/7026/Rev.1 OBV/99/Rev.1 SOC/NAR/802/Rev.1 11 June 1999

increasingly widespread, especially among young people; and that criminal organizations have no scruples in taking advantage of globalization and technological advances in transport and telecommunications.

Drugs continue to blight and, indeed, destroy far too many human lives. The costs associated with their use continue to impose a heavy burden on the social infrastructure of numerous countries, whether they be developed or developing. Valuable human and financial resources continue to be diverted away from productive activities which are essential for development and prosperity. Drug trafficking also continues to foment corruption, one of the most formidable obstacles to good governance.

I would, therefore, like to reiterate, on this international day against drug abuse, that the struggle we are engaged in is vitally important. There is no need to remind anyone that, tragically and quite literally, this is often a question of life and death.

The global implications and cross-border nature of drug abuse and illicit trafficking make the United Nations the most suitable instrument for waging this war. We shall continue to join the efforts of those individuals, families, communities and States that are determined to put an end to the calamity of drug abuse.

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