on the lives of individuals, their families and society. Drug trafficking and related criminal activities had reached an alarming scale, to the point of destabilizing economies, adversely affecting the development of many countries and threatening the stability, national security and sovereignty of States. It was emphasized that measures commensurate with the problems were required to counter the new dimensions of drug abuse and illicit traffic at the national and international levels. Several speakers paid tribute to the determination of the Government of Colombia in countering the threat posed by illicit drug trafficking. 6. Several speakers expressed the view that the primary responsibility for dealing with drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking rested with each individual Government, which had to take the necessary legislative measures and ensure their effective implementation. That was considered a prerequisite to countering the threat of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking at the national and international levels. Several speakers pointed to the resolve of their Governments to meet that prerequisite and to the measures taken by them to prevent their countries from becoming drug-consuming countries or transit States. Measures to co-ordinate the drug control programmes of the 12 member States of the European Economic Community (EEC) were brought to the attention of the Commission. 7. Several speakers mentioned the bilateral agreements and other arrangements entered into by their Governments with a view to co-ordinating bilateral and multilateral action against the illicit traffic. The view was expressed that the General Assembly at its seventeenth special session should encourage countries to establish links between institutions and agencies engaged in the fight against illicit drug trafficking and drug abuse in order to facilitate rapid and direct co-operation between them. 8. Several speakers emphasized that, in order to be successful, action at the national level must be supported and complemented by action at the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the issue of drug trafficking and its impact on individuals, families, and societies. It also touches on the importance of national and international cooperation to combat this problem. Given the focus on the consequences of drug trafficking on a global scale, it is likely that the text falls under a category that relates to international issues and governance.

**Category**
Health, International trade