France, Dec. 17 -- Speaking during a day-long visit focused on security Tuesday, Macron said France would not back down in its fight against narcotics.

He inaugurated a new police station in Marseille, met police officers and paid tribute to families of young people killed in drug-related violence.

Macron spent nearly two hours at the newly opened station, where officers questioned him about the anti-drug trafficking law adopted several months ago but still only partly applied because some decrees have not yet been published.

"We are waiting for the law to be fully implemented," a police officer told the president, saying the missing measures were needed to target the highest levels of organised crime.

"I am fully aware of that. We ar...