26 June: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed all across the world every year on 26 June to raise awareness against drug abuse and the illegal drug trade.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Background: The United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) by adopting the resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, decided to observe 26 June as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.  The first such international day was observed on 26 June 1989. This day was adopted to serve as an expression of its determination to strengthen global action and cooperation for achieving its goal of an international society that is free of drug abuse.

Objective: The global observance of day aims to raise awareness about major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

Observance: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) encourages individuals, non-profit organizations, private sector and Member States to get involved in its social media campaign to mark the awareness about the day and also invites them to draw on resources provided in social media campaign package. The day is supported each year by individuals, communities and various organizations throughout the world.

2019 Theme: for International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking- Health for Justice. Justice for Health highlights that when it comes to addressing drug problems, justice and health are two sides of same coin. The theme emphasizes integrated nature of rights-based and health-based approaches, which are both highlighted in Ministerial Declaration adopted in March 2019.

About United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

UNODC was established in 1997 with headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

It was founded as the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining United Nations International Drug Control Program and Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in United Nations Office at Vienna.

Its Parent organization is United Nations Secretariat.

It is a member of United Nations Development Group (UNDG) and was renamed in 2002 as United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2019