International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an annual observation that aims at creating an international society free of drug abuse. The United Nations General Assembly, through a resolution, declared the 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day is being observed annually since 1989. This observance aims at spreading awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Why an international movement against drug abuse and trafficking?

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking is not an as small issue as many of us may think it to be. Observance of this special day is not only about raising awareness on the ill-effects of drug abuse on a person’s health. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have a profoundly negative impact on the development and stability of the world order. Billions of dollars made through illicit trafficking are used to fuel terrorist activities, smuggling of arms, human trafficking and other such crimes against humanity. Almost the entire world faces the challenges created by illicit trafficking. Therefore we strongly need international initiatives to fight these issues.

Themes of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

2020: Better Knowledge for Better Care

The theme emphasizes the need of spreading the right knowledge to the right people. The theme was chosen keeping in view the hefty amount of misinformation spread about drug problems. The social media campaign for the same was built around #FactsForSolidarity.

2019: Health for Justice, Justice for Health

The theme highlighted the fact that health and justice are like two faces of the same coin when it comes to the drug problem. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking need to be addressed for a healthier as well as a just world.

2018 / 2017: Listen First – Listening to Children and Youth is the First Step to Help them Grow Healthy and Safe

The theme highlighted that listening to children and youth is very important in order to make them listen to us. Parents, teachers or any elder person need to establish two-way communication if they want the children to really understand the negatives of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Facts and Figures about Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

• As per the World Drugs Report 2020, approximately 35.6 million people suffer from drugs use disorder globally.
• Adolescents and young adults account for the largest chunk of drug abusers.
• Almost half of the people who inject drugs suffer from hepatitis C and many are living with HIV AIDS.
• Drug abuse has a direct relation with the incidences of poverty all around the globe. Poverty itself is a major challenge that hinders our movement towards the attainment of sustainable development goals by 2030.

The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the issue by putting extra pressure on the healthcare systems. Let us spread awareness to create a more beautiful, healthy, prosperous and just world.