WASHINGTON, March 3 (UPI) -- Nations are working together to address the worldwide threat posed by drug activity, U.S. National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday.
The last two decades have seen a strengthening global resolve to address the issue of drug production, trafficking and use, Kerlikowske testified during a hearing of the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs of the House Oversight and Reform Committee.
Addressing the drug issue requires strong domestic drug control, treatment and prevention programs in the United States, and international collaboration to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs, he said.
"We must also do the same with our non-law enforcement efforts, such as capacity building of democratic institutions, improving justice systems, strengthening community capacity to resist and prevent substance abuse, and providing opportunities to at-risk youth so they do not become involved in either drug abuse or the drug trade," Kerlikowske said.
The nation's drug enforcement czar told the panel progress has been made in several international efforts, including interdiction of drug trafficking between South America and the United States and disruption of drug-trafficking organizations in Colombia.
"As a major drug-consuming nation, it is in our best interest to work collaboratively with our international partners to reduce the global drug trade," Kerlikowske said. "Such efforts not only protect the public health and safety of our citizens, they also fulfill our responsibilities to assist those nations which have been severely impacted by drug use outside their borders."
