The world's largest anti-drugs summit is getting underway opens 1500B at the United Nations in New York.

The BBC's UN correspondent says it's expected to endorse a plan aimed at reducing both the production of illegal drugs and the demand for them.

The conference will also examine the laundering of drug proceeds, and the need for more international cooperation against drugs traffickers.

UN estimates suggest that there are some one hundred and ninety million drug users worldwide -- and that the illegal trade to supply them is worth some four-hundred BILLION dollars a year.