WORLD SERVICE

PRESS RELEASE
Diplomatic Forum Radio Talk Show International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Jakarta On 26 June, the world commemorates the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which serves as a reminder of the need to combat the problems illicit drugs pose to society. Drug trafficking, once viewed largely as a social and criminal problem, has transformed in recent years into a major threat to the health and security of people and regions said the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message. This years International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing these twin threats through the rule of law and the provision of health services. Drug use, at its core, is a health issue. Drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers the Secretary-General also said. Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the Monas Square, on Sunday, has launched the national strategy and policy to prevent and eradicate drug abuses and illicit trafficking for 2011 2015 period. The Head of State accompanied by Vice President Boediono, and Head of the National Narcotics Agency, Gories Mere, reaffirmed to realize the idea of Indonesia, a country free from drugs by 2015. Drug abuse and crime is serious threat not only in Indonesia but also all over the world he said. Many common efforts should be undertaken to eliminate and prevent drugs crime. Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, in partnership with RRI World Service - Voice of Indonesia, the Sultan Hotel, a radio talk show, called the Diplomatic Forum, is broadcast live worldwide in English from the Sultan Hotel in South Jakarta on Tuesday 28 June 2011. Voice of Indonesia is RRI World Service which serves international audience and broadcasts in 8 languages. The Live Talk Show which will be broadcast in English all over the world, and through RRI Pro2 Jakarta on FM 105, which will feature the following guests: 1. Mr. Gary Lewis, Regional Representative UNODC East Asia and the Pacific, 2. Commissioner General (Police) Gories Mere, Head of National Narcotics Agency (tentative), 3. HE. Mr. Everardo Corona Aguilar, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mexican Embassy Jakarta, 4. Mr. Gray Sattler, HIV Regional Adviser, UNODC, 5. Mr. Dedi Gumelar, House of Representative, DPR Commission X (tentative), 6. Dr. Iskandar Irwan Hukom, Secretary General, Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa. For further information please contact: Ms. Marsha Suryawinata, UNODC, on mobile: 0817 743 217, Nismah, RRI World Service on 0812 907 7218 and Leoni, the Sultan Hotel on 0838 932 444 77