Mr President, Secretary General, Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, distinguished delegates to the United Nations Special Session on Drugs.

It has been eight years since the last Special Session on Drugs. And it has been ten years since the adoption of the UN Convention against Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. It is a propitious time to take stock of our efforts

Taking Stock

There has undoubtedly been progress over this period.

Multilateral efforts on drug control have been enhanced by the establishment of the UNDCP. Much of the world's illicit production has been confined to a few geographically concentrated regions. Drug seizures and criminal convictions have increased markedly. The efforts of the Financial Action Task Force and regional counterparts have improved our capacity to trace the proceeds of crime. And significant advances have been made to minimize the harm caused by drug abuse.

These are valuable steps forward but important challenges remain.

Participation in the existing international control treaties is not universal. New trafficking routes for illicit drugs have emerged. New chemical-based designer drugs have been developed. And globalisation of trade has meant greater and more extensive trade in drugs - conservatively estimated to be now around $US500 billion annually.

Indeed, the scale of the world drug problem means that it is now one of the major non-military threats to regional and international security.

It is against this background of an expansion in international cooperation, on the one hand, but an increase in the order and sophistication of drug related activity on the other, that we meet here in New York to consider next steps.

Next Steps

This Special Session provides us a unique opportunity to acknowledge the challenges which remain and to commit ourselves jointly to finishing the job.

Elimination of illicit drugs, of course, remains our first and ultimate goal. But the reality is that an unknown quantity of illicit drugs will continue to reach those who are prepared to risk their health and often their lives using drugs. A comprehensive demand reduction strategy is necessary to address the health and social consequences of drug use for individuals, their families and for the rest of the community.

Australia is therefore very pleased to endorse the Declaration on Demand Reduction. We also welcome the five theme papers dealing with aspects of drug supply, and the Political Declaration on the world drug problem. These instruments provide an important blueprint for action and a framework for maintaining the momentum internationally to address drug control.

Australian Approaches

The approaches embodied in these documents already find parallels in Australia's approach to addressing the drug problem.

The Australian Prime Minister has recently announced a major new "Tough on Drugs" strategy which will allocate an additional $A215 million over four years to Australia's efforts against illicit drugs. It provides a balanced and integrated approach to reducing the supply of, and demand for, illicit drugs and minimising the harm they cause.

On the supply side $A112 million will go to providing more effective investigative and interception capacities. These include mobile strike forces, improving information technology to detect incoming goods and to track the money laundering trail, and enhancing judicial cooperation.

On the demand side, the strategy directs $A103 million towards prevention and rehabilitation measures.

Over one third of this is targeted on prevention activities which include both school and community based education. A focus on youth, reflected also in the proposed outcomes of this Special Session, is particularly important. We are determined to discourage a new generation of drug users.

The demand initiatives also include an allocation of almost $A67 million to rehabilitation and research to reintegrate drugs users into the community and support front line health professionals.

Regional Initiative - Safer borders, safer streets

Australia takes very seriously the difficulties Asia-Pacific societies face in trying to reduce the impact of illicit drugs and the threat they pose for development and security in the region.

I intend to put this nexus between drugs and security firmly on the agenda of upcoming discussions with regional colleagues.

I am also announcing today a 3-pronged Australian initiative to support drug control efforts in the Asia-Pacific region - this initiative is designed to enhance the security of our borders and our streets by concentrating on supply and health treatment within our own region. In short, safer borders mean safer streets.

• . We are committing $A5.7 million over four years to develop an Asia-Pacific regional law enforcement cooperation program, and a further $A6.1 million to extend Australia's law enforcement liaison office network in the region. We will also contribute $A1 million over four years to the Secretariat of the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering based in Sydney to help combat this growing regional phenomenon.

  . As well, we will allocate a further $A1 million for crop eradication and alternative development efforts in the Mekong basin region of Southeast Asia.

  . As part of an overall commitment of approximately $A20 million for treatment, prevention and education of people with HIV/AIDS and those high risk groups such as intravenous drug users, we will allocate $A2 million to drug related activities in the region. This will focus, in particular, on health projects targeted at reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. In addition, we will increase our financial support for activities to minimise the adverse effects of illicit drugs by over $A1 million to $A6.7 million.

  - these funds will be disbursed in partnership with regional governments, the UNDCP and the WHO

  - they will include support for training and education on substance abuse and strengthening customs services in the Pacific.

Conclusion

I would like to close by recalling once again that the production, trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs not only ruins lives and livelihoods; it undermines security.

• - the security of individuals and families

  - the security of nations

  - the security of regions.

For its part Australia is prepared to roll up its sleeves and address these issues seriously - domestically, in the Asia-Pacific region, and internationally through international governmental and non-governmental mechanisms.

We join with others to commend the progress that has been made over the last decade. But we are only too well aware that our collective efforts have to be redoubled if we are to control supply, reduce demand and minimise the harm to our societies caused by illicit drugs.

At this Special Session therefore Australia is committing itself to that goal. We look forward to working collectively with other states to finish the job and thereby to achieve a genuinely drug-free millennium.

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