U.N. ATTACKS DRUG PROBLEM AT ITS ROOTS

"Young people need their leaders to take action, together, to counter the production, trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs. Their future is in our hands. Over more than 30 years in the U.N. system, I have learned that when we pull together from all corners of the world to try to solve a problem, we will almost always succeed. Let this be one of those occasions." -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

It is generally agreed that the cause of the world drug problem seems to be poverty and the absence of health, development and education. World leaders meeting in New York from 8 to 10 June in a special session of the U.N. General Assembly pleaded to attack the roots of the problem, proposing a strategy to offer the opium and coca growers alternative sources of income. But more than crop substitution is needed, says Pino Arlacchi, the Executive Director of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme.  He  advocates 'alternative development' which would give the crop growers roads, hospitals, schools and a better life in their remote rural areas in return for their switch to less profitable legal crops.

The General Assembly adopted a world-wide strategy, calling for stronger domestic laws and programmes by 2003 to stop money laundering, youth drug abuse and the production of synthetic drugs. Countries also agreed to join efforts to catch and prosecute drug traffickers across national borders. Community participation and partnership between governments, civil society and the private sector to diminish the use of drugs are key elements of the strategy.

Today there are an estimated 190 million drug users around the world. Drugs are spawning crime and spreading drug trade within its borders. The globalization of the drug trade requires an international response.