UN: Iraqi government is serious about combating drugs

INA-  BAGHDAD


The United Nations confirmed, on Monday, that Iraq's cooperation has helped strike international drug networks, indicating that the increase in the number of drug seizures in Iraq indicates that there are plans being implemented.
 
The head of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Iraq, Ali Al-Barir, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "There is great seriousness in combating drugs in Iraq from the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministries of Interior and Health, and all the various parties, and there is an increase in the number of seizures, which indicates that there are well-thought-out plans being implemented by the Ministry of Interior and other agencies, especially the General Directorate for Combating Narcotics," noting that "the increase in seizures indicates that Iraq is capable of detecting them."
 
He pointed out that "the state's approach in providing treatment and alternative penalties for the issue of drugs is not only based on imprisonment and punishment, but on rehabilitation to break free from addiction, and this phenomenon is important," indicating that "we look forward to developing work within the framework of community awareness on this issue with Iraq."
 
He explained that "there is an increase in international cooperation with Iraq, especially neighboring countries, and this is through the reports that we hear from Iraq, neighboring countries, and from our office, as we try to support this issue by making trips to neighboring countries to stimulate cooperation with Iraq in combating drugs," stressing that "there are positive developments, and the efforts made by the Minister of Interior and the Director General of Drug Control are very important."

 He continued: "We are aware that not all countries have stable security and political conditions, and this sometimes leads to some pressure on the Iraqi borders, but in general there is development and a blow to a number of international networks through cooperation between Iraq and neighboring countries."