International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as ‘World Drug Day’, is celebrated annually on 26 June. The theme of World Drug Day 2020 is “Better Knowledge for Better Care.”
According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates, and sedative-hypnotics worldwide.
History
The United Nations General Assembly decided to designate June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in December 1987. The chosen date is to commemorate Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong just before the First Opium War in China.
Significance
Drug abuse is one of the most serious health problems. Besides causing serious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, it has several side effects. These include economic loss, antisocial behavior such as stealing, violence and crime, social stigma, and the overall downfall of the society.
Drug rackets operate internationally, but some countries are trans-shipment points for drug circulation. India, possibly because of its strategic location, is more prone to drug activities including drug trafficking and local consumption. The…
