Addressing the first World Forum Against Drugs in Stockholm, Chowdhury called on all governments, private agencies and NGOs to work together for a drug-free world.
NEW DELHI: Stressing that drug problem was not a one-country problem, Minister for Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury has called for collective action from all the civilised countries together.
Addressing the first World Forum Against Drugs in Stockholm, Chowdhury also called on all governments, private agencies and NGOs to work together for a drug-free world.
Chowdhury is in Sweden on a three-day visit to attend the first world forum against drugs, which was inaugurated on Monday by Queen Silvia of Sweden in the Swedish capital of Stockholm.
"Time has come that we should take these problems seriously and find ways to tackle them," said a statement issued here on Wednesday quoting Chowdhury.
"We should also pay attention on the other effects of drug abuse like its impact on immune system and spread of HIV/AIDS," Chowdhury said.
Talking about steps being taken to fight drug abuse in India, the minister said India is signatory to all international conventions and has set up necessary legislative and other structures to fight the drug menace.
She also highlighted the steps the Indian government has taken to empower women. "India has taken adequate steps to empower women such as reservation in local bodies, gender budgeting and micro-finance," she added.
Chowdhury also met Swedish Minister for Elderly Care and Public Health, Maria Larsson.
The ministers discussed possible areas of cooperation between the two countries in the area of public health.
Chowdhury is also scheduled to visit Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, which is a EU centre for medical excellence.
At the Karolinka Institute, she is expected to discuss the possibilities for cooperation between India and Sweden in areas like maternal, child health and nutrition.
The minister is also expected to meet Stockholm County Governor Per Unckel and discuss possible areas of cooperation between the two countries.
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