UN chief urges fight against drug abuse

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday calls on governments and coummunities to fight against drug abuse as well as illicit drug trafficking. "Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production or trafficking," said Ban Ki-moon in a statement ahead of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which falls on June 26. "Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution," Ban said. "Families, schools, civil society and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics," Ban added. By resolution 42/112 of Dec. 7, 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.