United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26th to create awareness to the general public on the global problems caused due to drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
The theme of 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is “Better Knowledge for better care” to educate the need for understanding about global drug problems.
Note: The events of this year are conducted as an online campaign due to the current pandemic situations.
Background:
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), decides to observe 26th June as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in its resolution A/RES/42/112 of December 1987.
2020 Events:
The social media campaign – “#FactsForSolidarity” package of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides the resources for the individuals and non-profit organisations of the member nations to campaign the day on social media.
World Drug Report 2020 by UNODC:
The report consists of 6 booklets:
- Provides summary & the finding of the 5 booklets and the impacts of COVID-19 on the policy implications.
- Focuses on drug demands and trends in the usage of drugs.
- Production, trafficking and supply of opiates, cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabis.
- Addresses the issues and changes in the drug market.
- Association between socioeconomic characteristics and drug use disorders.
- other drug policy issues
Key Points of the report:
i.Around 35.6 million people suffer from drug use disorders globally
ii.Around 269 million people used drugs in 2018 which is 30% higher than the accounted users in 2009
iii.Cannabis, the most used drug across the world in 2018, with an estimated 192 million people using it worldwide, based on data from 69 countries.
About UNODC:
Executive Director– Ghada Waly of Egypt
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
