26th June is observed as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by the United Nations. It seeks to “strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.” It also seeks to underscore the detrimental impact that illegal drugs have on the society as a whole.
Theme for 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
The theme for the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking “Better Knowledge for Better Care.” This theme seeks to seeks to emphasize how better knowledge of illicit drugs will foster and aid better international cooperation for mitigating the impact of drugs on health, community, and governance. It also emphasizes on the need to build effective resolutions to this problem based on facts and shared responsibility.
According to the World Drug Report 2020 released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), about 35 million people across the world suffer from disorders related to drug use. Further, around 269 million people used drugs in 2018, a massive 30 per cent increase from a decade back in 2009. This also suggests that illegal drugs such as opiates, cocaine, and methamphetamine are available more readily. Unfortunately, the youth and adolescents account for a major share among people that use drugs.
Data also proves that only one out of eight people that require drug-related treatment receive it. Also, the number of deaths due to opioid use disorders increased by a whopping 71 per cent in the past decade.
Aren’t these statistics shocking?
This day seeks to bring to light these issues related to illicit use of drugs and urge the governments to work collaboratively to solve this menace.
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