International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking will be observed tomorrow 26 June 1999. Attached are Messages from the United Nations Secretary- General and the Executive Director, United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS
ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG
ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING – 26 JUNE 1999
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 recognise 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 three and four 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 increasingly widespread, especially among young people. And that criminal organisations have no scruples in taking advantage of globalisation 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 continue 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.
MESSAGE OF PINO ARLACCHI, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR DRUG CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION,
ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
AND ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKING, 26 JUNE 1999
As we approach the Twenty-first Century the world faces several new challenges – a major one being illicit drug traffic and organised crime associated with it. While new technologies have brought us closer together, they have also made it easier for drug cartels and international criminals to traffic illicit drugs and hide their profits in the international global system.
Never has it been more evident that these problems affect all nations collectively. And never before has this concern received so much attention at the international level. As illicit drugs and related activities emerge as one of the major non-military threats to the community of nations, countering the world drug problem has emerged as one of the priorities of the United Nations.
Twelve months ago the world community gathered at the General Assembly in New York and designed the first comprehensive global anti-drug strategy. 185 nations established goals and set deadlines to reduce the illicit flow and abuse in the coming decade.
Governments agreed to do everything within their reach to phase out cultivation or reduce significantly all illicit narcotic crops within ten years. So far good progress has been made. At the same time they set similar goals for reducing demand for illegal drugs. This is the first time nations have agreed to work together to address consumer demand. Already some of the largest consumer markets are seeing a drop in drug abuse because of the prevention and intervention programmes they have crafted. We need to achieve the same around the world.
A good deal of our work focuses on educating young people that a drug free lifestyle is more rewarding and exciting than one of drug-abuse. Increasingly, in this age of global entertainment, we are up against a pop culture that too often is perceived as portraying drug abuse as “cool”. A recent study found that illicit drugs appeared in a large number of movies and songs. Most of these failed to mention the unglamorous side of substance abuse. We must be ready to confront this challenge and actively work towards creating a culture that favours a world free of drug abuse. In the long term, this is the most promising form of prevention.
Despite the real progress being achieved we have a long way to go to reach these goals. In some countries addiction rates are sharply increasing and in others drug cartels and organised trafficking groups continue to ruin countless lives, undermining the societies and economies in which they operate. We must keep focussed to ensure that we meet our deadlines and that newly emerging problems, such as the rise in use of synthetic drugs, are effectively dealt with.
The campaign is winable. With the will and commitment expressed by the international community, the world is poised to take well-concerted action against the world's drug problem. It is an important effort, not only because of the suffering it will spare millions, but also for the higher standard it will set for cooperative action by the international community in the pursuit of this important goal. UNDP is broadening its partnership and support with governments and civil society to maintain the momentum on the challenging journey towards a world free of illicit drugs.
Caribbean Regional Office
United Nations International Drug Control Programme
Bridgetown,
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