DOHA: Qatar has called on the international community for rapid and effective action to protect people from drugs, Qatar’s News Agency reported on Thursday.

Speaking at the 66th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, Sultan bin Salmeen Al-Mansouri, Qatar’s permanent representative to the UN, said action was needed in accordance with the principle of public and shared responsibility.

“Qatar has given priority to prevention efforts, immunizing society and educating it on the harm and dangers of drugs,” he said.

“This was one of the most important factors for the success of its policy in the field of prevention and drug control, in addition to law enforcement efforts, monitoring of Qatari air and sea ports, and strict application of the law.”

He added that Qatar had updated its legislation “in a way that allows responding to changes in drug trafficking patterns and new methods of drug smuggling, while preserving the principles of our constitution and with full respect for human rights.”

Al-Mansouri said Qatar was proud to play its role in international development and humanitarian efforts and would continue to uphold the values of cooperation, partnership and solidarity in helping countries and people suffering from economic crises, conflicts, poverty and debt.

“Qatar has provided many humanitarian and development contributions, especially in the framework of strategic partnerships with the UN and other leading international institutions,” he said.

“The 5th UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, which was hosted by Qatar last week, is the latest example of these efforts, where Qatar donated $60 million to support the Doha Program of Action and build capacity in the least developed countries.”

Speaking about the 2022 World Drug Report — the first since the COVID-19 pandemic — he said: “The report presented a bleak picture of the drug situation in the world, as cocaine production reached a record high level.”

Seizures of synthetic drugs had increased dramatically, markets were expanding, more young people were taking drugs and people who needed treatment, especially women, were unable to get it, he added.

Al-Mansouri said efforts to combat drugs were needed according to the mechanisms of international pluralism and based on the three international conventions on drugs, political declarations and approved action plans, starting with the 2009 Declaration.