Medina vents frustration over war on drug trafficking

Santo Domingo.- PresidentDanilo Medina on Wednesday called drugtrafficking a crucial challenge for the region´s institutions and security andurged "new debates and new ways" to fight it.

"There´s no end insight on the horizon to the war on drugs and it´s a challenge to the aspects ofstability, democracy, institutions, and security of our nations,” for which inhis view, “needs to be discussed in the UN´s joint agenda.”

Speaking to receive therevolving presidency at the Summit of the Community of Latin American andCaribbean States (CELAC), Medina said it´s urgent for the UN to discuss the challengesposed by drugs as part of its policies and measures.

"The problemextends from South America to Mexico, through Central America, DominicanRepublic and throughout the Caribbean, the transit of drugs destined for consumption,mainly in rich countries, is a constant challenge to the stability of ourdemocracies and the lives of our citizens," he said.

The chief executive demandedsolutions "centered on the human being, and taking into account theinalienable rights of individuals, progress focused to reduce not only the supplybut also and especially the demand for drugs."

"We cannot allowthis issue to continue focusing our conversations year after year, beforegrowing skepticism and frustration of our people, without daring to open newdebates, without exploring new pathways."