Pubdate: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 Source: Pretoria News, The (South Africa) Copyright: 2016 The Pretoria News Contact: http://www.pretorianews.co.za Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2962 'TACKLE DRUG NETWORKS, TERROR ACTS' NEW YORK - India has voiced its concern over "the growing nexus of drug trafficking and terrorist networks", saying that "we have to continue and toughen our collective fight against these evils". Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley was addressing the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on the World Drug Problem here. "The growing nexus of drug trafficking and terrorist networks endangers peace, security and stability across regions," he said. "We have to continue and toughen our collective fight against these evils." "The problems of illicit cultivation of poppy, cannabis and coca crops, multifaceted challenges faced by transit countries and those affected by drug-related terrorism should receive particular attention," said the minister. "Alternative development is also an important aspect of drug control. Recreational use of drugs would only aggravate the problem." On the fight against illegal drug use, he said, "new challenges call for a concerted and balanced response from the international community". "Terrorism constitutes one of the most dangerous threats to civilised societies today," he said. "Terrorism knows no borders and terrorists continue to strike across continents. "Money-laundering and illicit financial flows and proceeds of crime generated from drug trafficking and transnational organised crime remain a major challenge. "National efforts cannot adequately deal with the drug problems," he said. "Bilateral, regional and lots of international co-operation is essential." - -Xinhua - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom