In December 1987, the United Nations decided to observe 26 June as the 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 free of drug abuse. Protecting the youth and the future generations from this menace was inevitable for a safe and prosperous world. On this Day, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening action and cooperation to achieve a world that is free of drug abuse. Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.
From war zones to refugee camps to communities torn apart by violence, people in all parts of the world are in dire need. A pandemic, a climate crisis, a food crisis, an energy crisis, and supply chain disruptions have increased suffering and taken us to the brink of global recession. This World Drug Day, UNODC addresses existing and emerging transnational drug challenges stemming from situations of crisis. UNODC continues to advocate to protect the right to health for the most vulnerable, including children and youth, people using drugs, people with drug use disorders and people who need access to controlled medicines.
UNODC is calling on governments, international organizations, civil society, and all stakeholders to take urgent action to protect people, including by strengthening drug use prevention and treatment, and by tackling illicit drug supply. The campaign highlights data drawn from UNODC’s yearly World Drug Report. Thus, providing facts and practical solutions to the current world drug problem, to attain a vision of health for all based on science. World Drug Day is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data, and solutions, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity.
The campaign invites everyone to do their part by caring, even in times of crisis.
On its part, Pakistan also joins the international community to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking, reiterating steadfast resolve to create a drug free society and the world. The drug abuse undermined public health and the socio-economic development besides challenging the national security and prosperity. He said Pakistan itself was a poppy free country, but its population became a victim of regional opiate production and trade.
The illicit drug production and its trafficking was a major problem in Pakistan’s neighbourhood and it had been at the forefront of the efforts to actively support the ongoing global and regional initiatives that aimed at fighting against drug production and trafficking. The observance of this day manifests Pakistan’s steadfast resolve in creating a drug free society and world, he added.
Pakistan closely engaged in the Paris Pact Initiative and UNODC’s Regional Program for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries. Under the Triangular Initiative (TI), we are cooperating with Iran and Afghanistan to fight this menace. In addition to international and regional cooperation, a number of counter-narcotics measures have been taken at the national level including the adoption of a National Anti-Narcotics Policy in 2019 and the creation of Inter- Agency Task Force on Counter-Narcotics.
