Drugabuseisaproblemthatcanbeprevented,treatedandcontrolled.Whileeffortsmustbesteppeduptoreducesupply--byhelpinggrowersofillicitcropsfindviablelicitalternatives,andensuringthatlawenforcementagenciescontinuetheirgoodworkinseizingdrugs--thegreatestchallengeinglobaldrugcontrolisreducingdemand.Withlessdemand,therewouldbelessneedforsupply,andfewerincentivesforcriminalstotrafficdrugs.

Combatingdrugabuseisacollectiveeffort.Itrequirespoliticalleadershipandsufficientresources--particularlyformoreandbettertreatmentfacilities.Itrequirestheengagementofparentsandteachers,aswellashealthcareandsocialworkers.Itrequiresthemediaandcriminaljusticeofficialstoplaytheirpart.Allwalksoflifemustjoinforcesanddevotespecialattentiontothevulnerable:tothosewhoarevulnerabletotakingdrugsbecauseoftheirpersonalorfamilysituation,andtothosewhoarevulnerablebecausetheytakedrugs.Ourmissionistoenablethemtotakecontroloftheirlives,ratherthanallowingtheirlivestobecontrolledbydrugs.Thatmeansgivingyoungpeoplesoundguidance,employmentopportunities,andthechancetobeinvolvedinactivitiesthathelporganizelifeandgiveitmeaningandvalue.Itmeanssupportingparentseffortstoprovideloveandleadership.Itmeansreachingouttomarginalizedgroupsandensuringtheyreceivethecaretheyneedtocopewithbehavioural,psychologicalormedicalproblems.Itmeansprovidingreasonstohope.

Forthosewhoaregrapplingwithaddiction,effectivetreatmentisessential.Drugabuseisadiseasethatmustbetreatedonthebasisofevidence,notideology.IurgeMemberStatestodevotemoreattentiontoearlydetection;todomoretopreventthespreadofdisease--particularlyHIVandhepatitis--throughdruguse;totreatallformsofaddiction;andtointegratedrugtreatmentintothemainstreamofpublichealthandsocialservices.

Drugabuseingsanguishandtormenttoindividualsandtheirlovedones.Iteatsawayatthefaicofthehumanbeing,ofthefamily,ofsociety.Itisasubjectallofusmusttakepersonally.OnthisInternationalDayagainstDrugAbuseandIllicitTrafficking,letusensurethereisnoplacefordrugsinourlivesorourcommunities.