Asean countries must continue to take a hard stance against drugs, even as societies in Europe, South America and the United States take a more liberal approach, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday .

"They have begun decriminalising or even legalising drug consumption and have framed the fight against drugs as a 'failed war'," he told more than 100 delegates at the opening of the 36th Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on Drug Matters.

While these countries may have their reasons for doing so, such as to increase tax revenue or reduce prison overcrowding, he asked for the region to "stand together to say that this approach is not for us".

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