In Pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN 2015

Speech
by H.E. Dr. Sigrun Møgedal,
State Secretary for International Development,
Norway
At the International Congress
"In Pursuit of a Drug-Free ASEAN 2015"
(Bangkok, 11-13 October 2000)

Mr. President, Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Let me first say that I very much appreciate being invited to address this distinguished audience. I would like to commend the ASEAN countries for putting the drug problem on the political agenda and the Government of Thailand and the UNDCP for hosting and facilitating this important conference.

The UN Special Session in New York in 1998 unanimously concluded that drug abuse is a global problem, and that a concerted effort is needed. This conclusion is fully shared by my Government. We are all affected in one way or another and we need to act together. Controlling narcotic drug abuse and illicit drug trade is a global public responsibility. There is no easy way out of the drug problem - it must be solved through effective co-operation at the sub-regional, regional and global levels, in addition to using national measures. At the same time, the response needs to be community-based and local, strengthening social networks and empowering people to choose to say no to drugs, both in terms of supply and demand.

Since the factors that affect supply and demand are so complex, there is a need to tailor responses to the local and national context.

But this also means that we must consider how national, regional and global issues are linked. That is why we are grateful that you invited Norway to participate in this conference, as it gives us an opportunity to listen and learn, and helps us to shape and review our own response, both at home and as a global and regional partner.

In the current context of globalization, regional cooperation is likely to play an increasingly important role. A promising example is the cooperation on drug prevention that is taking place under the 1993 MOU between the UNDCP and six countries in the region. I am confident that the problems of drugs cannot be addressed in an effective manner unless closer regional cooperation is established. This must be backed up by strong political commitment from the countries in the region.

Combating drug problems is an extremely difficult task because there are so many actors involved on so many levels. A comprehensive approach is needed, as reflected in the programme for this conference. We already have many of the necessary tools, for example the international UN conventions, the UNDCP and the International Narcotics Commission, and we should make proper use of them. We have learned by experience that efforts should be spread over a wide range of activities in order to combat both supply and demand. We must facilitate prevention and cure and we must also promote the right attitudes.

We know that poverty in many cases is a driving force behind the cultivation of illicit drugs. Sound experience has been developed in the region of crop substitution and other development measures. Examples of successful strategies include participatory/bottom-up problem identification and planning, in demand as well as supply reduction programmes, long-term commitment and demonstrating to villagers that their living conditions are improved. Such efforts commonly include agriculture/food security, marketing of village products, preventive as well as curative health services and formal and non-formal education. For the implementation of such strategies, partnerships with NGOs have often been effective. There is no short cut to progress along the poverty reduction and development route. But we must continue to respond.

Poverty, however, is not the whole story. And new trends and patterns are emerging. This has also been demonstrated in Norway, where the most recent example of drug abuse is the rising trend in ecstasy use among young people with no specific social or economic risk profile. They are motivated by the urge to experiment and experience. The Norwegian authorities regard the situation as serious.

Closely associated with the drug problem is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The use of syringes is closely connected with the spread of HIV and may play a critical role in how and when the HIV epidemic starts in a country, and how it continues to develop. It is absolutely vital that prevention programmes are started at an early stage among drug users. There is no excuse for waiting until the epidemic is widespread.

Drug abuse affects the individual, the family and the whole community. Apart from human suffering and family disruption, there is the incalculable economic burden imposed on society in terms of loss of manpower, drug-related crimes, and the need to provide treatment and rehabilitation services. Experience shows that drug trafficking is closely linked to other trans-national crimes such as money laundering, corruption and trafficking in women and children. The link to war and conflict is also of great concern to us.

Drugs mean money. The circulation of huge amounts of illegal money in small and vulnerable economies may ultimately destabilize an entire country. According to some estimates, the monetary value of drug trafficking may even have surpassed that of international trade in oil, and may be second only to the arms trade. Interestingly enough, the UNDCP and the Centre for International Crime Prevention (CICP) in Vienna share the same Executive Director, Professor Arlacchi. This should ensure close cooperation between these two important UN bodies.

Norway is a supporter of the UNDCP's efforts to combat the drug problem, both here and in South East Asia and elsewhere. We believe in multilateral collaboration and the important role of the UN system. My country is funding a UNDCP global programme on primary prevention, which is targeted at young people in south east Asia, southern Africa and eastern Europe. The programme is being implemented in cooperation with WHO. In addition Norway has contributed financially to the UNDCP's drug supply and demand reduction work in Laos, by funding projects in Bokeo and Luang Nam Tha provinces, in collaboration with a Norwegian NGO, Norwegian Church Aid.

A key factor in combating drug distribution and abuse is obviously the role played by governments. Governments should do their utmost to build good and effective public institutions such as an efficient police force, and should ensure that the rule of law prevails as manifested in a good court system. Good governance is perhaps our best ally in fighting drug distribution and abuse. I firmly believe that, apart from international cooperation, open debate, transparency, accountability and participation from civil society are prerequisites for a successful and sustainable fight against drugs.

In conclusion, let me confirm that Norway will continue to give high priority to drug-related challenges in our development cooperation and as an integral part of our agenda for human security and comprehensive peace. I would like to reiterate my support to the regional approach that UNDCP, ASEAN and indeed Thailand are taking in combating the drug problem. I hope and expect that "Sharing the vision" will truly demonstrate Asian leadership for change, in pursuit of a drug-free ASEAN in 2015.

Thank you.