New York, 8. - 10. June, 1998

Minister of Social Affairs of Norway, Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa:

Statement at United Nations general assembly special session to counter the world drug problem

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Mr President, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates,

International co-operation is one of the main pillars of Norway’s comprehensive approach to the drug abuse problems. We welcome, therefore, this Special Session of the General Assembly.

Norway fully supports the Draft Political Declaration. We expect that the declaration, along with the other documents before us, will give an important impetus to our common efforts to combat - and one day overcome - the drug problems. The documents will constitute a valuable supplement to the already existing United Nations instruments in the field of drug abuse control.

One of the significant achievements of this Special Session is to put drug prevention and rehabilitation of drug addicts higher up on the international political agenda. Allow me to welcome in particular the Draft Declaration on the Guiding Principles of Demand Reduction. Hopefully, the declaration will become a fundamental instrument in an effective global strategy towards reducing the demand for drugs.

Illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs does not recognise national borders. We are witnessing rapid changes of drug abuse and production pattern. This makes international co-operation more urgent than ever. I am confident that this Special Session will prove to be an important milestone for reinforced co-operation at global level.

Co-operation at regional and sub-regional level is also important. In this context I am very pleased with the constructive Nordic andNordic-Baltic co-operation, including in the preparations for this Special Session.

A global approach to combating drug problems will not succeed unless we all join forces. We must actively look for partners outside our governmental circles. Partners and allies will have to be sought out among NGOs, parents and civil society in general. I am pleased to note the positive outcome of the Youth Conference in Banff, Canada this April. We must recognize youth as an important resource. They are a source of knowledge and of advice, not only a target group for preventive efforts.

Mr President,

Norway has for many years been a major donor to the United Nations` Drug Programmes. My Government is increasing its development assistance through UN organizations to alcohol and drug related programmes. We give high priority to this area. It is our aim to further integrate a drug dimension in our general development aid programme. Such increased efforts should also be seen in the context of the strengthening of Norwegian development aid to the health sector. Norway fully supports the UNDCP and the commitment of its Executive Director.

We also recognize the important roles played by a range of other UN organizations engaged in drug abuse control, for example the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization, as well as the collective efforts of the UN system as laid down in the System Wide Action Plan. Let me furthermore point to the pressing need for broadening the funding base of the UNDCP. A small number of countries still bear a disproportionate share of the financial burden. There is also a need for the recipient countries themselves to give a higher priority to drug related programmes as part of their general development efforts.

Let me underline the efforts made at the national level. The Norwegian Government is giving and will continue to give high priority to an active alcohol and drugs policy. The Cabinet last month submitted to Parliament a Draft Action Plan to Reduce the Use of Alcohol and Narcotic Drugs. Recent research has fully documented the links between the abuse of alcohol, legally prescribed drugs and illicit drugs.

We should also stress the importance of parents as role models for their children with regard to drinking and drug taking habits. We will, therefore, give more emphasis to the co-operation with parents. We will strengthen the drug education in schools, while at the same time intensifying the care for, and aftercare of, drug addicts. In Norway we have experienced the importance of carefully controlling the marketing of both pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco. Let me also, Mr President, point to the vital role of the police and customs authorities in our total preventive efforts.

Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global drug abuse situation has deteriorated till this day. The Declaration which we will adopt tomorrow says it in very clear words: “Drugs kill and destroy lives”. This calls for concerted and reinforced action rather than resignation. The debate so far reflects that this view has wide support. Both the individual and society at large have a right to expect that we all do our utmost to protect them from the scourge of drug abuse. A global approach involves each and everyone of us. And as the Declaration says: “Together we can meet this challenge”.

Thank you, Mr President.