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 20:

"Drug abuse and addiction have negative consequences for both the individual and society. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work on the brain. We also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated, thus aiding people to stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives." -- Michael Farrugia, the minister for the family and solidarity of Malta.

"The (Sri Lankan) government believes that the most effective approach to the drug problem would comprise of comprehensive, balanced and coordinated strategy. In such a strategy, supply control and demand reduction will reinforce each other. A high sense of shared responsibility will be the norm." -- Sagala Ratnayaka, the minister of law and order and southern development of Sri Lanka.

"Regrettably, the international community is still facing obstacles in promoting the societies free of the drug abuse worldwide. Despite our concerted efforts, world drug problem continues to present a challenge to the health, safety and well-being of people around the globe." -- Mikheil Janelidze, the minister of foreign affairs of Georgia.

"We must move forward to make meaningful and effective progress in addressing the world drug problem. We must place health and human development at the center. We owe it to the current generation, in particular our young people. We owe it to future generations. Let us not let them down." -- Kamina Johnson Smith, the minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade of Jamaica.

"The scourge of drug extends to all geographical regions, and generates and reproduces cycles of poverty, violence, various criminal behaviors, social exclusion and delicate health situations. It will be really difficult to solve the problems of mass production of and trafficking in drugs from the South, if the majority demand from the North is not eliminated." -- Maria Esther Reus Gonzalez, the minister of justice of Cuba.

"Flexibility must be seen as a core part of a process of collective drug policy development within the United Nations. Such collective development must also be based on a more detailed and holistic analysis of what member states and other stakeholders see as workable in drug policy governance and interventions. In other words, flexibility must be based on principled pluralism." -- Hanna Serwaah Tetteh, the minister for foreign affairs and regional integration of Ghana.

"People whose existence and livelihood depends on growing drug crops, need real, actual alternatives. They need financial support, they need help to help themselves." -- Marlence Mortler, the drug commissioner of Germany.

"Each country should find a balanced approach that suits its specific local challenges and circumstances." "A balanced approach toward drug policies also means to discuss a wide ranging public health based approach." -- Martin van Rijn, the minister of health, welfare and sport of the Netherlands. Enditem