Drug addiction poses a serious threat to Russian development, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said at the International anti-drugs forum in Moscow.

"We consider drug addiction the most serious threat to the development of our country and the health of our people," Medvedev said.

The president called on the international community to prevent the global spread of drug crimes that fuel terrorism.

He said the problem of drug trafficking affects, "a significant part of Europe, the United States and Canada."

Medvedev called on the international community not to politicize the fight against drugs.

"The fight against the drug threat should be removed from any kind of politicization," Medvedev said, adding that any "political games" over the drug threat are inadmissible since they "undermine our joint international efforts and weaken our anti-drugs coalition".

During the forum the president said he had adopted a strategy outlining Russia's anti-drugs policy until 2020.

Nearly 200 experts, politicians and drug-control specialists from 40 countries are attending the anti-drugs forum in Moscow from June 9-10.

The participants are discussing ways of preventing the Afghan drug trade, which has caused a sharp rise in heroin consumption, especially in Russia.

MOSCOW, June 9 (RIA Novosti)