International Day Against Drug Abuse

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is observed annually on June 26th. The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 to strengthen global efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

History and Purpose

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987, decided to observe June 26th as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by member states of creating an international society free of drug abuse.

The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society and to mobilize international efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking. It also aims to encourage individuals, communities, and organizations to actively participate in drug prevention and control programs.

Themes

Each year, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects a theme for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to highlight specific aspects of the global drug problem. Some of the recent themes include:

• 2022: “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises”
• 2021: “Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives”
• 2020: “Better Knowledge for Better Care”
• 2019: “Health for Justice. Justice for Health.”
• 2018: “Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”

Global Drug Situation

According to the World Drug Report 2021 released by the UNODC:

• Around 275 million people worldwide used drugs in the last year, while over 36 million people suffered from drug use disorders.
• Opioids continue to account for the largest burden of disease attributed to drug use.
• The number of people using drugs increased by 22% between 2010 and 2019.
• Cannabis was the most widely used substance worldwide in 2019, with an estimated 200 million people using it.
• Drug markets have become increasingly complex, with the emergence of new substances and the use of the dark web for drug sales.

Observance and Activities

On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, various events and activities are organized worldwide to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and to promote prevention and treatment efforts. These activities include:

• Public lectures and seminars on drug abuse prevention and control
• Media campaigns to spread awareness about the dangers of drug abuse
• Educational programs in schools and universities
• Community-based events and rallies
• Rehabilitation center open houses and awareness programs
• Government and NGO initiatives to promote drug prevention and treatment

India’s Efforts

India has taken several measures to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking, including:

• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which provides a comprehensive legal framework for drug control in India.
• The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) at AIIMS, New Delhi, which provides treatment and rehabilitation services for drug-dependent individuals.
• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is the apex coordinating agency for drug law enforcement in India.
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which runs several schemes for the prevention of drug abuse and the rehabilitation of drug-dependent individuals.