Iran a pioneer in anti-drug campaign:Iranian police official

TEHRAN,Nov.13(MNA) – An Iranian police official said on Monday that the Islamic Republic is a pioneer in the campaign against illicit drugs in the world. “Iran is among pioneers in the campaign against the production of drugs in the region and the world,” Ali Mo’ayyedi, the head of anti-drug headquarters, told a conference in Islamabad, Pakistan. He said, “Until today, Iran has welcomed any move which would help reduce drug production in the region and also alleviate social and cultural ills” resulting from drug abuse, Mo’ayyedi stated. The police official added that a reduction or eradication of drug production is possible through cooperation between the executive and security bodies of regional countries. According to UN estimates, the production of opium in Afghanistan has increased largely since the U.S.-led forces entered Afghanistan in 2001 to topple the Taliban regime. “The presence of foreign forces (in Afghanistan) will only add to the problems,” Mo’ayyedi said. During the conference in Islamabad, Iran put forward some key proposals on how to counter the production and transit of drugs in the region.