BOTH TALK AND ACTION NEEDED IN DRUG FIGHT

Today marks the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking, with this year's theme being "Let's talk about drugs."

According to the United Nations, the theme stresses the need for children,
families, colleagues, teachers and communities to talk about drug abuse,
admit that it is a problem and take responsibility for doing something
about it.

Talking about drugs can break the silence and stigma that surround people
who are drug-dependent. It can make people aware of the seriousness of the
problem and help in our fight against drug abuse.

Confronted with the cruel reality of widespread drug abuse worldwide, we
can no longer keep silent. Open discussion is the starting point to solving
drug-related problems.

China has chosen "care for the future" as its theme for the anti-drug day.
This is aimed at young people, on whom the future of our country rests.

The latest figures paint a grave picture of young people's extensive
involvement in drug abuse and drug-related crime.

By the end of last year, drug users registered by the police numbered 1
million, up 11 per cent over 2001, according to the National Narcotic
Control Commission.

The figure is alarming enough in itself. More disturbing still, however, is
that 74.2 per cent of them are aged under 35. There are even 10,000 under
16 years old.

According to the Ministry of Public Security, drug abuse has led more young
people into committing crimes such as theft and looting.

The fact that young people are falling victim of drug abuse forces us to
react and we must react quickly.

While relentlessly continuing the fight against drug trafficking and abuse,
the drug-control authorities and society as a whole should attach more
importance to educating people, especially young people, to keep them away
from drugs.

Curiosity and ignorance are major factors that lead young people into drug
abuse. Active and eager to try different things, some even regard taking
drugs as something trendy that displays their unique character.

They are prone to become victims unless they are given correct guidance and
adequate information on the dire consequences of drug abuse.

We should never loosen our grip when fighting illicit drug trafficking, and
should more actively seek international co-operation to deal with
cross-border crime. However, it is also time for us to put more effort into
ensuring that our young people have access to information on drugs.

Against a background of drug abuse and drug-related crime running rampant
worldwide, and with such illegal activities penetrating China's vast
interior from the country's border areas, what has already been done is far
from enough.

We need more aggressive campaigns, and we need to talk more loudly to
ensure that everyone hears the anti-drugs message.