SG/SM/6594

SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS CONCLUSION OF ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION MARKS NEW CHAPTER IN GLOBAL DRUG CONTROL

10 June 1998


Press Release
SG/SM/6594
GA/9424


SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS CONCLUSION OF ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION MARKS NEW CHAPTER IN GLOBAL DRUG CONTROL

19980610 Following is the text of the statement delivered by Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP), on behalf of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, at the closing tonight of the twentieth special session of the General Assembly devoted to countering the world drug problem together:

Distinguished delegates and colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honour to address this concluding session of the twentieth special session of the General Assembly on behalf of His Excellency, the Secretary- General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan.

The end of this meeting marks the start of a new chapter in global drug control. We have sent the world a message of hope this week. The decades of nations pointing fingers at each other are finished.

We are not starting a new "war on drugs". In fact, there never was one. Instead, the better analogy for the international community is that of a doctor facing a deadly disease. Drugs -- quite simply -- kill people. And it is our responsibility to help find the cure. With the adoption of the Political Declaration and the Action Plans, we took further steps forward towards a drug-free world.

You should be proud of what you have accomplished in New York, but the real work begins tomorrow. The international community must take this spirit of accomplishment and meet the deadlines of 2003 and 2008 to eliminate or significantly reduce the consumption and production of all illegal drugs. And we must foil the money launderer and the drug trafficker at every turn.

Some have said that the special session was diplomatic business as usual. It is imperative that we prove otherwise. Our work cannot simply be left on a piece of paper in this conference room. We cannot pat ourselves on the back and move on to other issues. There is always room for improvement. There is always more that can be done. This means continuing to listen carefully to those who provide constructive criticism on how we can create a drug-free world. No one has a monopoly on the truth.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6594 GA/9424 10 June 1998

The responsibility to keep moving forward now relies upon your commitment to take full ownership of these plans and your desire for concrete results. Pledges must turn into implementation, actions and results. The eyes of the world are upon us; this is not the time to sit on the sidelines. We intend to fully succeed -- and we will never give up.

We must heed the examples set by other important United Nations conferences on the environment, women's issues, population and social development, and move forward with a sense of purpose and action. The drug control issue has now been, similarly, raised to the top of the world's agenda.

This means building on the political momentum while constantly remembering the framework of international cooperation and respect for sovereignty as embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. The concepts of tolerance and solidarity for human rights are precious, and we must remain vigilant in their defence. We will treasure this in every moment of our work. However, we should not forget that the notion that drug use is a kind of human right is inherently immoral, as it suggests that human lives are not worth saving from the devastation of addiction.

At the international level, UNDCP will continue to be there every step of the way, assisting governments and non-governmental actors in meeting goals and working towards a more civil society.

Let us all go forward with resolve that the commitment we have made to work towards a drug-free world will be met with actions and the resources needed to ensure real and measurable results. Together, we can meet this challenge. Now -- let's get to work.

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For information media. Not an official record.