International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is celebrated on the 26th of June each year. World Drug Day 2020 theme is “Better Knowledge to Better Care.”
About 200 million people globally use illicit drugs, such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates, and sedative-hypnotics, according to UNODC.
History
The United Nations General Assembly decided to designate June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in December 1987. The chosen date is to commemorate Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, just before the First Opium War in China.
Significance
Drug abuse is one of the most serious health problems. Besides causing serious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, it has several side effects. These include economic loss, antisocial behaviour such as stealing, violence and crime, social stigma, and the overall downfall of the society.
Drug rackets operate internationally, but some countries are trans-shipment points for drug circulation. India, possibly because of its strategic location, is more prone to drug activities, including drug trafficking and local consumption. The influence of westernization, changing family structure, and peer pressure are some of the reasons behind drug abuse.
Better Knowledge for Better Care
It emphasizes the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance, and security.
UNODC encourages individuals, non-profit organizations, the private sector, and the Member States to engage in the marking of this day’s social media campaign and invites them to draw on the tools offered in the social media campaign.
Cover Image: vectorstock
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