British and US officials in charge of drug-fighting are scheduled to hold talks October 25 to enlarge cooperation in combating drug trafficking.

　 Britain's anti-drugs cooordinator Keith Hellawell and General Barry MacCaffrey, director of the US Office of National Drug Control Policy, will meet in London.

　 "It is important that we all work together to make sure that our people and their communities are protected from the supply of illegal drugs," McCaffrey said in a joint statement issued before their talks.

　 "Drug use in the United States has dropped by 50 percent over the last two decades. Cocaine use is down 70 percent. Illicit drug suppliers are now looking for new markets for their products," he said.

　 McCaffrey said he was keen to discuss how sports at all levels, including the Olympic Games, could be made drug free.

　 Hellawell said misuse of drug and the related crimes were among the most serious issues affecting today's society.

　 "It is an international problem that needs an international response," Hellawell said. (Xinhua)