U.N. General Assembly - Special session devoted to fight against drugs

Intervention by Ambassador George Saliba Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations, New York

On Wednesday 10 June, the Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador George Saliba, addressed the 20th Special Session of the General Assembly Devoted to the Fight Against the Illicit Production, Sale, Demand, Traffic and Distribution of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Related Activities. This Session was held in New York from 8 to 10 June 1998.

Ambassador Saliba made reference to Malta's appreciation towards the United Nations for convening this important and significant special session. This special session is the renewal on the part of the international community of its commitment to perform all that is necessary as a duty and service to humankind in order to overcome the drug problem.

Malta welcomed the consolidation of the various related functions within the UN structure into one single Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention.

The political declaration adopted by the General Assembly calls for the establishment or strengthening of regional or sub-regional mechanisms whereby regions may be able to share their experiences and conclusions resulting from the implementation of national strategies. In this respect the Government of Malta is fully in support of the initiatives taken within the Euro-Med process both in Barcelona and Valletta, to "pursue actively a dialogue and cooperation on combatting organised crime and all aspects of the illicit drug trade".

In its merciless fight against drug traffickers, the Government of Malta has taken appropriate remedial measures by developing an intensive and comprehensive strategy consisting of making enforcement more effective; improving control at ports of entry; updating the laws within the context of international conventions; developing preventive measures; improving treatment and rehabilitation and social support structures; and co-operating through bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements, especially with States bordering the Mediterranean, to strengthen the infrastructure needed for effective control and prevention of illicit trafficking through Malta.

Furthermore, Malta's Dangerous Drugs Ordnance has been amended to provide for life sentencing for very serious trafficking; ten-year sentencing for other cases of trafficking; compulsory prison sentencing in the case of trafficking, cultivation and importation; confiscation of property of convicted traffickers; pre-trial financial investigation; the introduction of money-laundering as an offence; and increased international cooperation in this field.

The Government is also supporting and seeking the closest possible collaboration and co-operation with all voluntary organisations in running rehabilitation programmes. No effort is being spared to ensure that voluntary organisations are considered as co-equal partners to the government ones. A new Co-ordinating Commission was set up to supervise the operation of government agencies and voluntary bodies and to monitor the implementation of the national policy on substance abuse and advise the Government on changes in social policy.

In conclusion, Ambassador Saliba stated that the tasks ahead for the international community are not easy, but the plight of millions of young people worldwide whose life is threatened by drugs should be enough to consolidate our resolve. Our commitment is a debt we owe to our children, our youth and to future generations so that they may be able to live a healthy life in a safe environment.