Today is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The General Assembly designated twenty-sixth June every year 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.
The trade in drugs was already recognized as a global problem requiring a global solution at the beginning of the twenty century, with the first international conference on narcotic drugs held in Shanghai in 1909. Over the following decades, a multilateral system to control production, trafficking and abuse of drugs was developed. Three drug control conventions were adopted under the auspices of the United Nations in 1961, 1971 and 1988.
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs was established by Economic and Social Council ECOSOC resolution in 1946, to assist ECOSOC in supervising the application of the international drug control treaties. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC supports Member States in implementing a balanced, health and evidence based approach to the world drug problem that addresses both supply and demand and was guided by human rights and the agreed international drug control framework.
This approach involves treatment, support, and rehabilitation, ensuring access to controlled substances for medical purposes, working with farmers who previously cultivated illicit drug crops to develop alternative sustainable livelihoods for them, and establishing adequate legal and institutional frameworks for drug control through using international conventions.Speaking on the importance of the day. The National Youth President, Umueri Youth Forum, Mr Chibuzor Ekwenye noted that drug abuse is rampart among youths, adding that creating awareness on the day will help counter the world drug problem and actively promote a society free of drug abuse in order to ensure that people live in health, dignity and peace.A youth Mr. Ikechukwu Onuorah listed dangers of drug abuse and illicit trafficking and called on youths to desist from such act to avoid its negative effect.He thanked the Anambra state government for its efforts towards youth’s development.
The theme for the 2019 International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is “Health for Justice”.
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