Fight against drug trafficking needs int'l cooperation: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday called on the international community to join efforts in the fight against drug trafficking.

"It is important for the global community to make efforts to eliminate global heroin and cocaine production centers," Putin told a meeting of the state council.

"We need to use all authoritative international platforms, primarily the UN, SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), BRICS, CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) and so on."

Putin called on the UN General Assembly to consolidate efforts to destroy illegal drug industry and to support the least developed countries so their citizens could find other ways rather than drug production to earn a living.

As some countries in the world are considering the decriminalization of cannabis, Putin said the issue of legalizing recreational drugs should be discussed at international platforms.

The president urged Russian authorities to maintain close cooperation and constant exchange of experience and information with relevant agencies from foreign countries and international institutions.

According to Putin, public health, even national security, directly depends on the fight against drug abuse, as the task is still difficult considering continuing attempts to spread drugs to Russian regions, including heroin from Afghanistan.

"Our partners present in Afghanistan," however, are reluctant to cooperate with Russia in the fight against drug threats, Tass news agency quoted Putin as saying.

He also called for the improvement of Russia's social rehabilitation system of drug addicts through modern approaches, as well as additional measures to prevent drug trafficking via the Internet.

"Extra measures must be taken to prevent drug deal through the Internet and the use of cyber space to recruit new victims, in particular the youth," Putin said. Endite