China Urges for Earnest Int'l Cooperation Against Drugs

Earnest international cooperation against drugs is an effective way to eradicate the root cause of drug problems, said a senior Chinese official at an international drug control conference here Wednesday.

Delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the gathering, Chinese State Councilor Luo Gan said that in view of the worsening drug problem the international community should attach greater importance to drug control and work out effective measures to reverse the worsening drug situation.

In order to further promote the global drug control endeavor and eliminate the evil of drugs, the governments of all countries should be the main player of the international drug control cooperation, he said, adding that the governments should undertake a major responsibility for drug control.

"While paying attention to the prohibition of abuse, cultivation, trafficking and manufacturing of illicit drugs, all countries should carry out their individual and well-targeted drug control program according to their respective national conditions," he said.

The international drug control cooperation should take the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter as its guidance, he noted, saying that the cooperation should be strengthened on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and should ensure the interests of all countries.

Luo emphasized that the international drug control cooperation should proceed under the principle of non-politicization and non-discrimination.

"The fight against drugs is a trial of strength between justice and evil. No countries should politicize the drug issue or practice any discriminating methods," he said.

The international drug cooperation should be carried out on the basis of an extensive participation by all sectors and circles of the whole society, said Luo.

"Law enforcement, alternative development, rehabilitation, preventive education and other drug control efforts should be coordinated and mutually complemented," he said.

The three-day conference was jointly held by the Thai government and the U.N. International Drug Control Program. Representatives from 35 countries would discuss the major issues concerning drug control in this region and formulate drug control action plans.



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