respect for national sovereignty. One speaker expressed the view that drug trafficking should not serve as an excuse for military intervention or pressure. 22. Some speakers said that several developing countries had been diverting an important share of their resources to implement measures to interdict transit traffic or curb illicit production or cultivation within their borders to the detriment of their economies and of urgently needed national development programmes. They stated that the United Nations drug control programmes should give priority to providing the necessary resources and assistance to such States. One representative expressed the view that assistance should also be provided to traditional supplier countries of opiate raw materials for medical purposes, with a view to resolving the burden of excess stocks of opiate raw materials. 23. Some speakers referred to fundamental socio-political changes in their countries that had brought their citizens in contact with illicit drugs. Mention was made of the need to provide assistance to States faced with new problems related to drug abuse and illicit traffic as a result of those changes. 24. Several speakers stated that special attention should be given to the financial aspects of illicit drug trafficking in order to counter the economic power of drug traffickers. Governments should, in particular, adopt adequate measures to prevent the banking system and the international financial system from being used to launder money derived from illicit drug trafficking. To the extent possible, they should ensure that their economies do not benefit from illict drug trafficking. Governments that had not already done so should consider the possibility of introducing domestic legislation and negotiating bilateral and multilateral agreements in order to trace, freeze and confiscate the proceeds of illicit drug trafficking more effectively, in compliance with 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the international response to drug trafficking, focusing on the need for assistance to developing countries to combat the issue, as well as the importance of addressing the economic aspects of the problem. It also touches on the impact of drug trafficking on national development programs and the need for governments to prevent the laundering of money derived from illicit drug trafficking. This suggests that the category should be related to economic and social issues.

**Category**
Health, International trade