Kok stresses Dutch antidrugs credentials

AMSTERDAM, April 21 (Reuter) Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok on Monday
stressed the Netherlands' desire to fight drug abuse and trafficking and said
he hoped the European Union would soon develop techniques to identify new
synthetic drugs.

Kok was speaking at the international ``Cities and Addictions'' conference in
Rotterdam.

He said joint European action was essential to combat drug trafficking,
adding that the adoption of the Joint Action on Drugs by the European Council
in Dublin in December was an essential first step.

He called for increased discussion and exchange of knowledge, despite
differences of opinion.

``Even though our methods may differ from country to country, we are all
allies in the fight against drugs,'' Kok said.

The Dutch premier was keen to squash the perception that the Netherlands is a
haven for soft drugs, mentioning a reduction in the number of ``coffee
shops'' where soft drugs are available and recent efforts to combat
advertising aimed at luring young ``drugs tourists.''

Like all other European nations, the Dutch would not tolerate any drug abuse,
Kok said.

``Our prime consideration in fighting drug abuse...is that all drug abuse is
harmful to health,'' he added.