International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022: History, theme and Significance

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• Jun 26, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will be observed on June 26 each year in all participating nations. color:#4C4C4C">

Digital Desk: The World Drug Day, also known as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Every year on June 26th to foster action and collaboration toward the goal of a drug-free world. 

And every year, a number of groups celebrate World Drug Day to increase public awareness of the serious issue that illegal drugs represent to society. 

The global event highlights the physical and psychological impact of substance abuse, drug overdose deaths, and drug-related humanitarian crises with an aim to eliminate the menace from society.

The event spreads awareness about the dangers of drug abuse not just to adults but also to children, who are the most vulnerable. Attention is brought to the issue of access to controlled illicit drugs for essential pain relief medications and scientific purposes.

History

On December 7, 1987, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) enacted resolution 42/112 in response to the problem.

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will be observed on June 26 each year in all participating nations.

The purpose was to increase action and collaboration in order to realize the vision of a drug-free global society.

The date, June 26, was chosen to honour the campaign led by Lin Zexu, a well-known Chinese politician and philosopher from the 18th to the 19th century, who strove to eradicate the roughly 1.2 million kilograms of opium that British traders had been smuggling into China illegally (starting on June 3, 1839). In 23 days, his campaign was over.

Theme

The topic for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 2022 is "Addressing drug issues in health and humanitarian crisis."

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a serious worldwide health concern, and the theme was chosen in the midst of significant humanitarian disasters in Afghanistan and Ukraine. 

 Significance

The day's objective is to promote collaboration and action to eradicate drug misuse from society.

Various events are organized in schools and colleges to educate the students and inform them about the dangers of drug abuse.

The UNODC website states that you can do your part in the movement by sharing real facts on the drug situation, including its health risks, to contribute to the solution of the global drug issue.

CommentsThis year, the UNODC started the campaign - “#CareInCrises” - for World Drug Day.