Pubdate: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 Source: Daily Yomiuri (Japan) Copyright: 2000 The Yomiuri Shimbun Contact: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/main/main-e.htm OKINAWA SUMMIT LIKELY TO ADOPT ANTIDRUG POLICY Leaders of the Group of Eight major nations are likely to demonstrate their determination to eradicate traffic in illegal drugs, especially stimulants, in a declaration to be adopted at the July summit in Okinawa Prefecture, The Yomiuri Shimbun learned Saturday. The government, as host of the summit, is seeking the adoption of an antidrug policy in the G-8 declaration by stressing to other G-8 members that, of all the drug problems in Asia, the spread of stimulant drugs poses the most urgent threat, government sources said. The Okinawa summit will mark the first time that an antidrug policy specifically targeting stimulant drugs will be proposed, observers said. While drug abuse was one of the key topics at the G-8 summit held in Birmingham, England, in 1998, no specific type of drug was named. The declaration will contain a provision addressing drugs and international organized crime, the sources said. The provision is expected to say that the number of crimes involving cocaine, heroin and amphetamine-type stimulants is increasing rapidly around the world, and that it has become a grave international problem at a time when the free movement across borders of people and materials has become increasingly prevalent, the sources said. The provision also will state that drug abuse by young people has an adverse effect on their growth and endangers the health and well-being of people on a societal level. Pointing out that drug trafficking has become a major source of income for organized crime syndicates, the provision will call for joint international efforts in curbing and preventing the production, smuggling and purchasing of the drugs. At the Okinawa summit, G-8 leaders are expected to endorse activities spearheaded by the U.N. Drug Control Program, the aim of which is to root out narcotic crops, such as hemp and poppies. They also are expected to announce their commitment to a declaration adopted at the U.N. General Assembly's Special Session on World Drug Problems, held in June 1998, which called for the eradication of illegal drugs worldwide. The number of cases involving international narcotics syndicates smuggling stimulant drugs from China and Southeast Asia into the country is increasing, and observers say the nation is in the grip of a third wave of stimulant abuse. Ephedrine, one of the main ingredients of stimulant drugs, is extracted from a plant native to China. As the substance is also used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical drugs, it is difficult to regulate its distribution. This is hampering the efforts of law-enforcement agencies in countries involved in attempting to control its movement, observers said. In light of these factors, G-8 member nations will be urged to take action against the threat of stimulant drugs by taking joint international action. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek