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STORY: UN / WORLD DRUG PROBLEM
TRT: 1.47
SOURCE: UNIFEED -UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 15 JULY 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Tilt down, exterior United Nations headquarters
15 JULY 2014, NEW YORK CITY
2. Wide shot, dais
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Oh Joon, Meeting Chair and Vice-President of ECOSOC:
“One of the most serious obstacles, severe obstacles, in development is illicit drugs and organized crime. In weak and vulnerable nations illicit drugs can help prolong the status quo of poverty and reinforce glaring inequalities.”
5. Wide shot, dais
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Sajdik, President of ECOSOC:
“Throughout the world illicit drugs and organized crime weaken democratic institutions, undermine peace, and hinder sustainable development, particularly our ongoing efforts to rid the world of poverty, conflict and inequality. This highlights the need for us to deal with development and illicit drugs as a single holistic issue.”
7. Wide shot, dais
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Lochan Naidoo, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB):
“Alternative development efforts have evolved from straight forward crop substitution to promoting rural development in general and providing legitimate livelihoods for those who have been growing illicit drug crops. However, the concept of alternative development needs to be expanded even further, beyond the rural communities that cultivate illicit crops, and a much broader application of alternative development or alternative livelihoods involve rural and urban societies will reap greater dividends than if it is practiced in either of these societies alone.”
9. Zoom out, end of meeting
Senior United Nations officials today (15 July) called for a greater focus on development activities and alternative crops in countries where the tight grip of drug lords has disrupted peace, security and development, such as in Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Addressing a high-level event on “Sustainable Development and the World Drug Problem,” organized by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the meeting chair, Ambassador Oh Joon of the Republic of Korea said illicit drugs and organized crime are one of the most “severe obstacles” in development.
Oh Joon said “in weak and vulnerable nations illicit drugs can help prolong the status quo of poverty and reinforce glaring inequalities.”
ECOSOC President Martin Sajdik highlighted the successes of national drug strategies in countries which include primary prevention, early intervention, treatment, care, rehabilitation, recovery and social reintegration measures, as well as measures aimed at minimizing the public health and social consequences of drug abuse.
He told the meeting that “throughout the world illicit drugs and organized crime weaken democratic institutions, undermine peace, and hinder sustainable development, particularly our ongoing efforts to rid the world of poverty, conflict and inequality.”
This, Sajdik said “highlights the need for us to deal with development and illicit drugs as a single holistic issue.”
He also emphasized the importance of alternative development and tackling the drug problem through an integrated and balanced manner that respects the rule of law and human rights.
Dr. Lochan Naidoo, President of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) told the meeting that alternative development efforts have so far evolved “from straight forward crop substitution to promoting rural development in general and providing legitimate livelihoods for those who have been growing illicit drug crops.”
However, he said, “the concept of alternative development needs to be expanded even further, beyond the rural communities that cultivate illicit crops.”
Today’s discussions are being held as the international community works to reach the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 deadline and shapes the future sustainable development agenda.
The discussions will also contribute to preparations for the UN General Assembly’s Special Session on the World Drug Problem due to take place in 2016, the UN officials said.
