UN General Assembly
1989

We in Trinidad and Tobago have always recognized that our destiny is inextricably linked to that of our sister States in the Caribbean. Our own efforts at integration pre-date our independence, and over the last 20 years we have gradually but steadily worked towards deepening our integration movement and making our Community and common market a reality. It will readily be appreciated that the process of Caribbean integration has not been easy, given the lack of complementarities of our economies. Nevertheless, the member States of CAR 100*4 are demonstrating the necessary political will, determination and realism needed to achieve it. The use of, and traffic in, illegal drugs has emerged as a major problem affecting the international community. This plague corrodes the very fabric of our societies. It has the potential to frustrate, subvert and in some cases render impotent the actions of elected Governments. Recent developments in Latin America have demonstrated, under the horrified gaze of the entire world community, the tremendous threat posed by those individuals and entities who deal in degradation and death represented by illegal drugs.