UN urges help for drug addicts

(June 26, 2009) The United Nations chief has urged the international community to help people suffering from drug addiction and to reduce the number of dangerous places on this planet where drugs are produced, trafficked and consumed. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon made the appeal in a message for the June 26^th International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed on Friday. Stating that “drug abuse can be prevented, treated and controlled”, Ban urged “member states to upgrade their preventive interventions and integrate drug treatment into public health programmes.” He also urged full implementation of the United Nation Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Convention against Corruption. “These instruments can help in the effort to prevent and control drug-related crime that is posing a serious security threat in many parts of the world,” he said. The UN chief also called for greater development assistance and strengthening of the rule of law in countries that are vulnerable to the cultivation, production and trafficking of illicit drugs, saying these states risk instability and will face even greater challenges in reaching the Millennium Development Goals.