The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a day dedicated to save people who are addicted to drugs. Around the globe, many individuals, organizations, and communities come together on the day to inform people about the problems and effects caused by illegal drugs.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), which is an arm of the United Nations that deals with illicit drugs and international crime related to human trafficking, said, “By working together, we can tackle the world drug problem.” Every year the UNODC releases the World Drug Report which shows factual data and statics related to the current situation of the drug problem in the world.
As per the experts, community and family support is essential to help people who are vulnerable to drug use.
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THEME of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2021:
This year the theme for the day is “Share Facts on Drugs, Save Lives.” The theme concentrates on sharing the drug-related (true) facts as well as solutions that would help the world to fight against drug abuse.
Every year, the body aims to accomplish the health vision and improve the statics of the World Drug Report.
HISTORY of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking:
June 26 was marked as the day against drugs and illicit trafficking on December 7, 1987, by the United National General Assembly under resolution 42/112. The General Assembly marked a specific day for drugs and trafficking because it aimed to make an international society free from drug abuse.
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Here are some FACTS which would help in creating awareness:
1.) As per 2021 World Drug Report, UNODC, around 275 million people had consumed drugs globally last year and more than 36 million people had suffered from drug use disorder.
2.) During the Covid-19 pandemic, high use of cannabis has been reported in most of the countries and in the same period, non-medical use of the pharmaceutical drug was also reported.
3.) The latest global reports estimates stated that about 5.5 percent of the population between 15 years to 64 years have consumed drugs at least once during the Covid lockdown.
4.) 13 percent of the people who consume drugs (nearly 36.3 million) have suffered from a drug-related disorder.
5.) More than 11 million people, around the globe, inject drugs into their body and half of them suffer from Hepatitis C.
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6.) An increase in the number of shipments of illicit drugs and a rise in the frequency of overland routes used for trafficking have been reported.
7.) Now, private plans are being used to deliver
illegal drugs and even contactless methods have been introduced for the
delivery of drugs.