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

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

"The health and social harm caused by the illicit use of psychoactive drugs is enormous. This harm includes direct damage to the physical and mental health of users, drastically reducing the length and quality of their lives.

Drug use harms families and communities, also through crimes against property and people. It contributes to traffic and domestic injuries, child abuse, and gender-based sexual violence and other forms of violence." -- Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization.

"Putting people first means reaffirming the cornerstone principles of the global drug control system, and the emphasis on the health and welfare of humankind that is the founding purpose of the international drug conventions."

"Putting people first ties responses to the world drug problem to the broader goals of the ground-breaking 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

"Putting people first means acknowledging the common responsibility we share for the world drug problem in all its forms and manifestations." -- Yury Fedotov, the executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"The EU strongly supports the anchoring of drugs policy in a wider socioeconomic context in line with the sustainable Development Agenda to promote health, democracy, rule of law and sustainable livelihoods. In order to tackle the root causes of the illicit cultivation of drug crops, alternative development should be actively promoted to provide alternative and sustainable livelihoods and reduce the dependence of affected communities on illicit drug economies." -- Neven Mimica, the commissioner for international cooperation and development of the European Union.

"We know that the expected results of the current global policy have not been fully achieved, that there are adverse effects and that progress has been limited. We also know that this policy should be adapted to the new realities that arise, in order to address the challenges in each region and country." -- Jimmy Morales Cabrera, the president of Guatemala.

"In our common quest to reduce demand and supply of drugs, criminalization and punishment measures are simply not enough, although one has to recognize their importance in protecting health and safety. We have to strive for more balanced policies, rooted in health and human rights that prioritize access to prevention, treatment and care services." -- Igor Luksic, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Montenegro.

"It is obvious that fighting drugs and narcotics is beyond the limits of any single government; therefore, there is a need for extensive help from the international community."

"Without of such support, narcotics can create massive problems not only for Afghanistan, but also for all countries around the globe. We believe that one big reason that caused the insecurity in Afghanistan is narcotic drugs and existence of precursor within the country." -- Slamat Azimi, the minister of counter narcotics of Afghanistan.

"The world drug problem is a multifactorial phenomenon. A successful approach requires coordinated contribution from several sectors -- at local, national and international levels. We must think health in all policies." -- Bent Hoie, the minister of health and care services of Norway.

"The nature and character of contemporary world drug problem is increasing in complexity and severity. It is therefore pertinent to address the factors that have impacted on both illicit drug supply and demand reduction, which we believe, remain the most effective way of tackling the world drug problem." -- Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, the minister/chairman/chief executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of Nigeria.

"We reaffirm that it is necessary to adopt effective and practical measures that allow the drug prevention, particularly among children and adolescents, of illegal drugs use by developing appropriate prevention programs based on scientific evidence at all levels in the education system, as well as promoting opportunities to enable a healthy life within the family and social circles." -- Fidias Aristy, the minister of state and president of the National Council of Drugs of the Dominican Republic. Enditem