President Donald Trump (middle) alongside UN Ambassador Nikki Haley (right) (Screenshot)

(CNSNews.com) – During a speech at the United Nations on Monday, President Donald Trump called on the world body for help in the fight against drug addiction.



“It is a great honor to address you on an issue that affects every nation across the globe: the world drug problem, and a big problem it is. The scourge of drug addiction continues to claim too many lives in the United States and in nations around the world. Today, we commit to fighting the drug epidemic together,” he said.





The president said each of the 31 co-host countries is “taking critical steps to combat the global drug problem.” He said global deaths from drug use has gone up 60 percent during a 15-year period.



“As the 2018 World Drug Report highlights, cocaine and opium production have hit record highs -- incredibly -- and global deaths caused by drug use have increased by 60 percent from the year 2000 to 2015. So, in 15 years, it gone up 60 percent, which is absolutely terrible,” Trump said.



“As we know, illicit drugs are linked to organized crime, illegal financial flows, corruption, and terrorism. It's vital for public health and national security that we fight drug addiction and stop all forms of trafficking and smuggling that provide the financial lifeblood for vicious transnational cartels,” he said.

The president pointed to the actions his administration is taking to fight drug addiction: “securing our border, supporting law enforcement, devoting record funding to the opioid crisis, and promoting treatment and recovery.”



Trump also highlighted the “bold action” that many nations are taking, specifically newly elected Colombian President Ivan Duque, who “campaigned on an anti-drug platform.”



“We look forward to partnering with his new administration to eradicate coca production in his country. All of us must work together to dismantle drug production and defeat drug addiction,” the president said.



“For this reason, last month, the United States announced a ‘Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem.’ The call is simple: reduce drug demand; cut off the supply of illicit drugs; expand treatment; and strengthen international cooperation. If we take these steps together, we can save the lives of countless people in all corners of the world, and when I say countless, I'm talking about millions and millions of people,” he said.



Trump said he looks forward to working with the UN nations to strengthen communities and protect families and give all children “a drug-free future.”