Fiinovation - International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution on December 7 1987 to observe June 26th every year as 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 which is drug abuse free. This resolution recommended further action with regard to the report and conclusions of the 1987 International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. 

Selecting themes for the International Day is done by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and launches campaigns to increase awareness about the global drug problem. Health is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign.

UNODC campaign themes since 2000

2010 - Health is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign.

2007-2009 - "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"

This year's UNODC global awareness theme "Make health your 'new high' in life, not drugs" aims to inform the public, and particularly young people, about the harmful effects of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The substances sold openly, including through the internet, which not yet been tested for safety in humans, can be far more dangerous than traditional drugs.

Presently the sheer number of NPS arriving on the scene almost weekly compounded by the lack of understanding of the adverse effects and addictive prospective of these uncontrolled substances presents a major public health challenge. The difference between a 'safe' and toxic dose is marginal and NPS have been associated with fatalities, delirium and violent behaviour. Mixtures of NPS bought naively by users have resulted in unpredictable and sometimes disastrous effects.

Illegal drug trafficking is a clear obstacle to development. This cross-border problem requires a robust and coordinated law enforcement response within and among countries. Tackling organized crime and the illicit drugs trade is a shared responsibility. But the rule of law is only part of the equation. For instance, farmers dependent on the cultivation of illicit drugs such as coca, marijuana and opium must be offered alternative livelihoods, while drug users and addicts need help not stigmatization.

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