International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on 26 June every year to strengthen global action and cooperation towards achieving the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Observance of this day aims to raise awareness to fight against substance abuse as well as the illegal trade of drugs. The day was first observed in 1987 by the UN General Assembly.
Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises
Population affected by health and humanitarian emergencies such as conflicts created by humans, natural disasters and pandemics are more prone to substance abuse along with other human rights vulnerabilities.
While the mental health and substance use disorder-related needs of those in humanitarian settings are high, resources are scarce, and the existing health infrastructure is too overburdened to provide proper care to those who need it. Treatment and prevention services are not sufficient in such places.
Around 275 million people used drugs worldwide in the last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has created conditions that make more people susceptible to drug use and to engaging in illicit crop cultivation.
Access to drugs has also become easy with online sales and contactless drug transactions, a trend possibly accelerated by the pandemic.
Exposure to trauma and lack of access to economic opportunities are other risk factors for increased drug use among internally displaced persons and refugees. In armed conflict crises, the breakdown of health-care infrastructures further leads to difficulties providing treatment for drug users.
This year, on this day, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) addresses existing and emerging transnational drug challenges during crises.
With the #CareInCrises campaign, UNODC asks to take urgent action to protect people from substance abuse by strengthening drug use prevention measures and treatment facilities and tackling illicit drug supply during health and humanitarian crises.
Know more:
National Toll Free Drug De-Addiction Helpline Number 1800-11-0031
Know more about Substance Abuse- nhp.gov.in/
Related pages
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2019
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2018
References-
https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-drug-abuse-day
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/06/1094672
