"We must ensure that our responses to drug trafficking are equally innovative, equally prompt to adapt, and equally global in our outlook," ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh noted in his statement on Thursday.
Illicit drugs represent a multidimensional threat to the world, and prompt actions should be taken not only by governments but also by industries and other relevant actors.
"Therefore, actions at the national and regional levels should be in tandem, in terms of promoting public health, prevention, treatment, and economic and social progress," Minh noted.
Head of the National Narcotics Board of Indonesia (BNN) Police Commissioner General Anang Iskandar emphasized the need to prevent drug syndicates and transnational crime organizations from taking advantage of the ASEANs regional integration and connectivity.
"ASEAN still needs to do more and further strengthen its collaboration in addressing the threat and abuse of illicit drugs," he noted.
The meeting highlighted the need to promote closer cooperation among member states, such as intensified anti-drug trafficking campaign to address the current and future challenges.
The meeting also came up with strategic recommendations in working towards realizing ASEANs regional vision of being free from the menace of illicit drugs.
The ASEAN ministers in charge of drug matters and heads of the National Bureaus for drugs of the ASEAN member states attended the meeting, which was officially opened by Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
