The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations International Day. It is observed annually on 26 June, since 1989. The observance was instituted by General Assembly Resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.
On 26 June 1987, two important texts (Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control & Declaration of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) were adopted at the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which was held in Vienna during 17-26 June 1987. The Conference recommended that an annual day should be observed to mark the importance of the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Both the dates 17 June and 26 June were suggested, and in the later meetings 26 June was chosen and written into the draft and final resolution.
By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Supported each year by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.
An Overview of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking recognises the severe impact that illicit drugs have on health, development, peace and security. Around 190,000 people die due to illicit drugs every year. But the damage visited upon lives and communities does not stop there. Drug use damages health in the form of debilitating HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis, while drug trafficking nourishes money laundering, and deadly terrorism. Corruption, the great enabler of organized crime, exists throughout the drug supply chain.
In a collective response to these challenges, recently, countries unanimously agreed on an outcome document of the UN General Assembly Special Session containing over 100 recommendations to counter the world drug problem. These recommendations, forged by international consensus, stress the need for affordable science-based treatment and care, especially in prisons and for measures reducing the spread of HIV and other infections.
The UNODC and the Fight against Drugs and Crimes
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) launched campaigns to raise awareness of drugs and crime problems. In 2016, the campaign theme was “Listen First.” The aim is to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities.
Some Themes From Previous Years
Some of the themes from years past include:
2016/2017 – “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”
2015 – “Lets Develop — Our Lives — Our Communities — Our Identities — Without Drugs”
2014 – “A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable”
2013 – “Make health your ‘new high’ in life, not drugs”
2012 – “Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs”
2011 – “Say No!”
2010 – “Think health – not drugs”
2009 – “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.”
2008 – “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.”
2007 – “Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs.”
2006 – “Value yourself…make healthy choices”
2005 – “Drugs is not child’s play”
2004 – “Drugs: treatment works”
2003 – “Let’s talk about drugs”
2002 – “Substance abuse and HIV/AIDS”
2001 – “Sports against drugs”
2000 – “Facing reality: denial, corruption and violence”
The day is often referred to by Anti-Drug campaigners as “6/26”; intended as a play on marijuana smokers’ “4/20” to celebrate cannabis.
References:
un.org
unodc.org
Featured image source: ItAllCounts.org
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