International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023

International Day against Drug Abuse: International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is conducted by the United Nations. It is observed on June 26 annually. The global event highlights the physical and psychological impact of substance abuse, drug overdose deaths, and drug-related humanitarian crises with an aim to eliminate the menace from society.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2022: Theme

“Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises” is the theme for 2023’s celebration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Significance

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) has launched a #CareInCrises campaign for this year’s celebration of World Drug Day. It highlights data from its annual World Drug Report. It urges governments, world citizenry, international organizations, and stakeholders to prevent drug abuse, provide treatment, and restrict the illicit drug supply.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: History

During the 93rd plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 7, 1987, resolution 42/112, adopted on the reports of the third committee of the General Assembly, was passed.

The date of June 26, was chosen to commemorate the campaign by Lin Zexu, a prominent Chinese politician and philosopher from 18th-19th century China who destroyed, starting June 3, 1839, about 1.2 million kilograms of opium illegally imported by British traders into China. Zexu’s successful campaign concluded in 23 days.

What you can do

Government calls on all South Africans to join hands in the implementation of the national program of action against substance and alcohol abuse.

• Community support is extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate, and accept those addicted to substances. Help break the stigma and promote faster recovery.
• Be a good role model and empower young people to deal with life challenges to buffer substance abuse.
• Be a good role model and empower young people to deal with life challenges to buffer substance abuse.
• The carnage on South Africa’s roads can be reduced drastically if adults drink responsibly.

• Celebrate year-end festivities soberly and responsibly:  Don’t turn a night out into a nightmare.
• Don’t drink and drive – Arrive Alive!
• Partner with government volunteers and support rehabilitation programs to increase access to information for affected individuals and communities.

Facts

• There is a burden of “secondary risks”, including injury, premature non-natural deaths, foetal alcohol syndrome (FASD).
• Research indicates that the social costs of alcohol-related trauma and accidents far exceed those of other countries and that intoxication was a major factor in road accidents. According to the South African Revenue Service, the known direct cost of drug abuse in 2005 was roughly R101 000 million.
• The social cost of illicit drug use was calculated using international data and is approximately R136 380 million annually.
• The relationship between alcohol and illegal drugs, crime, and violence is both direct and complex. In 2007, more than 47% of victims of homicide tested positive for alcohol at the time of death. Alcohol makes people vulnerable to crime.
• 8.4 percent (2.2 million) of the South African population used cannabis in 2004 as against the global norm of 4 percent; 8.9 percent (2.5 million) used cannabis in 2005/6 and 3.2 million used it in 2008, an increase of nearly 20 percent.