Pleased to participate.  Committed to action on shared challenges.  Encourage all states parties to fulfill obligations under 3 conventions.  When PD and POA adopted, Canada had already implemented many commitments.  Highlights of approach.  All of us recognize that addressing illicit drug trade a multifaceted challenge.  Drug trade fuels corruption, undermines rule of law and democratic institutions.   Non-governmental organizations play a key role in fight against illicit drugs.  Preventing and treating drug addiction.
Many efforts deployed under national anti-drug program.  Prevention, treatment, and application of the law.  Broaden scope to abuse of prescription medications.   500 million dollars in action plan invested to prevent drug use and treat those with addiction while cracking down on traffickers and producers.  $44.9 million to be invested in activities targeted at abuse of prescription medication.  Collaborative effort between twelve ministries and federal bodies.  Work in cooperation with other levels of government and civil society and indigenous communities to make sure society safer and more healthy.  Govt. of Canada has financed Canadian Center against Addiction to create a portfolio of Canadian norms to prevent substance abuse with young people. Encouraged by the impact of our efforts on drug consumption.  Most recent efforts show decline in cannabis consumption in young people. Much to be done to tackle many common challenges related to drugs.  Federal government cannot do it alone.  Prescription drug abuse a problem in many countries, including Canada.  Many levels and actors.  Patients, doctors, pharmacists, other sectors.  Expertise of a range of stakeholders. Do No Harm Prescription drug abuse strategy.

Also stepping up enforcement to address diversion of prescription.  Reduce rising rates of misuse of prescription drugs by use.  Law enforcement a key participant against misuse.  Royal Canadian Mounties have teams to target and dismantle synthetic laboratories across countries.  Ongoing emergence of NPS.  On Canadian illicit market a daunting challenge.  Appear and disappear at a rapid pace.  Continue to work on informing public as new substances become available. Have developed consumer health alerts to inform about risks.  NPS phenomenon is transnational in nature and requires an international response.  UNODC early warning advisory on NPS is an important resource for us.  Canada continues to engage on issues related to international drug control.  Paper on scheduling prepared on psychotropic substances.  Look forward to discussing further next week.  Canada provides drug control support to international organizations such as UNODC and container control program and programs in Pakistan.  Steadfast in commitment to collaborate with other countries to address the WDP.