Supported by many individuals and various corporate organisations all over the world, the fight to rid society of illicit drugs intake has gained much momentum over the years.
The General Assembly had set 26 June each year, to be observed as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent in society.
This day is an expression of the world’s determination to strengthen action and call for everyone’s cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the consumption of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable and soothing effects on the brain.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has further defined drug trafficking as the illicit global trade that deals with the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances that are subject to drug prohibition laws.
There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates, most especially among young adults under the age of 30.
The theme of the 2021 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is ‘Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives.’ This theme aims at combating misinformation and promotes sharing the facts on drugs — from health risks and solutions to tackle the world drug problem, to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.
This campaign highlights key statistics and data drawn from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s yearly World Drug Report. Hence providing facts and practical solutions to the urgent world drug problem, to attain a vision of health for all based on science.
This day hopes to bring about unprecedented public awareness on health, protective measures for staying healthy, and most importantly, protecting each other.
So far, a growing sense of global community and solidarity continues to emerge, as well as the eradication of drug trafficking in society.
World Drug Day is a direct expression and a direct call to every member of society to share research findings, evidence-based data and life-saving facts, and to continue tapping into a shared spirit of protecting one another in order to have a safe society.
This campaign enjoins everyone to do their part, by taking a firm stance against the distribution, consumption of illicit drugs, as well the initiation and protection of drug abusers.
For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organised crime, corruption and terrorism. And are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them.
Drug abuse among youths increases the risk of problems related to their well-being and health, resulting in an increased risk of injury and death from interpersonal violence, road accidents, risky sexual behaviours, unintended pregnancy, diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and academic problems.
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