The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated every year on the 26th of June to raise voice against the illegal use and trade of drugs in the world. It is a global celebration to be held annually by the United Nations General Assembly in order to raise awareness among people regarding such a serious global issue. Since the drug abuse and its illicit trafficking currently persist in almost all countries, the event is celebrated by people with enthusiasm all around the world.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a very awaited event for the people. Like other years, the event succeeded in getting attraction of the people from all around the world. The 26th of June this year is falling on Wednesday. There is a theme set for every annual celebration of the occasion. The theme is decided by the United Nations General Assembly. The theme for the year 2020 has not yet been declared by the UN.
History
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is also known as World Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. There was an International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking held in 1967. The conference was concerned about how the problem of misuse of drugs and its illegal marketing can be banned from all around the world.
The Conference talked much on the topic and decided to observe an annual celebration based on the object of the conference for the long term. The conference decided to fight against the problem of drug abuse on 26 June every year. The celebration was to be held on the global level so that problem can be removed from all around the world. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was celebrated in the year 1989. Since then, it is being celebrated every year and by the people from every corner of the world.
Celebration/Activities Performed
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a global event, but it is not declared a public holiday by the United Nations. The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) conducts many awareness programmes on the occasion of the event. The events are organised in different parts of the world. It also seeks the support of the governments of the nations and various NGOs for the successful conduct of the programmes.
There are many campaigns and drives launched on the local level to make people aware of the problem and think about getting its solution collectively. Many private-sector organisations also join hands to fight with this major problem.
The UNODC uses available resources and aware people to say no to the use of drugs and inform the local police whenever they see someone involved in this activity around them. Many Anti-drug campaigns, launched by many institutions and organisations, ensure the participation of every individual in making the goal succeeded.
Apart from these campaigns, rallies, posters, and advertisements are some other ways used for making people united to fight the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Objectives and Significance
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a subject for social and cultural development. The inappropriate use of the drug has increased in the past few decades. It brings many problems together for the person who is having it and also for the other people related to him. To eradicate this problem completely from the world, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is made a global observation.
Since the misuse of drugs and its illegal marketing has become a serious threat to the world, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking gives us a chance to stand together and be united to fight with this problem. Also, this is a great day to tell those people about this problem who are unaware of it.
The drug abuse and its illegal marketing should be stopped as soon as possible for the sake of the future of our next generation.
Themes of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
As we have earlier said that the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is celebrated annually with a different theme each year, we have provided below the theme for some of the previous year celebrations below:
- Theme for 2019 – Health for Justice, Justice for Health
- Theme for 2018 – Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe
- Theme for 2017 – Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe
- Theme for 2016 – Listen First – Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe
- Theme for 2015 – Lets Develop — Our Lives — Our Communities — Our Identities — Without Drugs
- Theme for 2014 – A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable
- Theme for 2013 – Make health your ‘new high’ in life, not drugs
- Theme for 2012 – Global Action for Healthy Communities without Drugs
- Theme for 2011 – Say No
- Theme for 2010 – Think Health, Not Drugs
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in India and World
Drug abuse has become a very grave problem for the world in the present time. The overuse of drugs has become an addiction, and it brings much physical and mental disorder. Though drug abuse was not much popular a few years ago, it has become a trend now.
The National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in India has conducted several surveys on the national level and revealed some information. The National Institute of Drug Abuse also conducts surveys on the same topic. As per the surveys, around 20 crores of the population of India is currently addicted to alcohol.
Around 3.3 million people around the world die each year due to the excess consumption of Alcohol. Also, more than 31 million people are currently suffering from some kinds of disorders that originated from drug abuse. These and some other information are enough to prove that the problem of drug abuse and illicit trafficking has taken over the entire world.
Government of India on Drug Abuse
The Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi has recently spoken of running a ‘Drugs-Free India’ campaign, especially for the youth. He expressed concern that the youth of our country is wasting away by having alcohol, drugs, and other such harmful substances. It is leading them towards the financial, social, mental, and spiritual disability. They are degrading themselves and the family as well in society.
Excess consumption of drugs brings 3D evils, and these are Darkness, Destruction, and Devastation. Under the guidance of Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, the world-renowned educationist and the founder of City Montessori School in Lucknow has been organizing international conferences of the Chief Justices of the world for the last 19 years. So far, 1222 Chief Justices, judges, and heads of state, etc. of 133 countries have participated in this international conference and have given their utmost support to the formation of the global democratic system (world parliament) for the world unity, world peace and safe future of two and a half billion children of the world.
Conclusion
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has become now a serious global problem on which the parents should also talk together. Their guidance of the parents on the concern matters a lot. As a future of the nation, we all should obey our elders and parents and pledge not to be addicted to alcohol or any other alcoholic substance.