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Quotable quotes from the UN General Assembly special session on world drug problem

Xinhua, April 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

Following are quotable quotes from the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on the World Drug Problem on April 19:

"Because no society can claim to be completely free from the dire consequences that illicit drugs bring, or to have no relation to its many causes. And no country can deny that addressing this problem is a common and shared responsibility." -- Mogens Lykketoft, the president of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly.

"The world drug problem affects virtually every nation and all sectors of society. I am sure that you all thought about the victims and tragedies caused by this scourge when you observed the moment of silence a while ago.

Drug trafficking and organised criminal networks fuel violence and feed corruption. They weaken institutions and the rule of law." -- Jan Eliasson, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations.

"The future of global drug policy is not a false dichotomy between a so-called 'war on drugs' on the one hand and legalization and/or regulation of non-medical use of drugs on the other. Neither is it necessary to seek so-called 'new approaches.' In fact, we don't really need any 'new approaches' to global policy. Quite on the contrary, what we need is to better implement the drug control treaties, which requires a balanced and comprehensive approach where health and welfare is at the core of policy." -- Werner Sipp, the president of the International Narcotics Control Board.

"In 2009, member states adopted the Political Declaration and Plan of Action and set a series of important goals for 2019. This special session comes as one of the milestones in this 10-year period." -- Vladimir Galuska, the permanent representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations (Vienna) and chair of the UN Commission on Narcotic drugs at its 59th session.

"This special session is and has to be about human beings. It is our collective responsibility to make sure that our response to the world drug problem in 2016 and beyond is built on international cooperation, solidarity, common and shared responsibility and concerted international action in order to promote and ensure the well-being of people and societies." -- Khaled Shamaa, chair of the UN General Assembly Special Session Board. Endit