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Trump in Call to Action Against Drugs

by VOA News

   Opening the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in
   New York Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about the Global
   Call to Action against the world drug problem.

   Speaking alongside U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, Secretary of State Mike
   Pompeo, and National Security Advisor John Bolton, Trump cited a 60
   percent increase in drug-related deaths around the world in the past 15
   years.

   "As the 2018 world drug report highlights, cocaine and opium production
   have hit record highs," Trump said, noting the need to curb both supply
   and demand of drugs around the world.

   The Global Call to Action, announced by the White House last month, has
   four parts: reduce demand, cut supply, expand treatment and strengthen
   international cooperation.

   Trump also thanked the member countries of the United Nations Monday
   morning, saying U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres "has become a
   great friend and is doing a wonderful job on a complex situation, but a
   beautiful situation."

   U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked President Trump for his
   words and his initiative to combat the global drug problem following
   his remarks Monday morning.

   "You are focusing a spotlight on the global drug problem and we have
   never needed it more," he said.

   On Tuesday, Trump will address the U.N. General Assembly. And on
   Wednesday, he will chair the world body's Security Council meeting.

   The session at the U.N. Security Council, where the United States
   currently holds the monthly rotating presidency, was to focus on
   criticism of Iran, but now will be broadened, U.S. Ambassador to the
   U.N. Nikki Haley said.

   Margaret Besheer contributed to this report from the United Nations.