International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26/06)

In 1987, the UN General Assembly, by its resolution № A/RES/42/112, decided to annually celebrate June 26 as the International Day against Abuse international Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficing, or more simply – International Anti-Drug Day, as an expression of its determination to strengthen activities and cooperation to create an international drug-free society.

The decision was taken on 7 December 1987 on the basis of the recommendation of the 1987 International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which adopted a Comprehensive Plan for Future Activities to Combat Drug Abuse on 26 June.

The history of the fight against the spread of drugs, or at least attempts to somehow control their trafficking, goes back more than 100 years.

In February 1909, members of the Shanghai Opium Commission, in which 13 countries, including Russia, took part, tried to find ways to limit the import of drugs from Asian countries. And today, more than a century later, law enforcement agencies, unfortunately, are far from resolving this issue, and drug addiction has become one of the main problems of the entire world community and one of the most terrible phenomena of our time.

The UN General Assembly recognizes that, despite the continued intensification of efforts by the international community, the global drug problem continues to pose a serious threat to public health and the safety and well-being of people, especially young people, as well as to the national security and sovereignty of States, and that it is detrimental to socio-economic and political stability and sustainable development. Therefore, it calls on the Commission and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to continue their work on international drug control, and also urges all governments to provide the maximum possible financial and political support to the Office in these activities.



Moreover, people around the world have been experiencing a crisis in recent years, whether in war zones, refugee camps and communities torn apart by violence. The pandemic, global warming, food and energy crises and supply chain disruptions have exacerbated the situation and pushed humanity to the brink of a global recession, resulting in increased transnational drug problems arising from crisis situations.

Therefore, for the International Day against Abuse with narcotic drugs and their illicit trafficking, which every year is devoted to a specific topic, educational events and actions are held in many countries around the world aimed at educating the population, and above all – youth, about the dangers and consequences of drug use and promoting a healthy lifestyle, in order to once again remind humanity what a terrible disease drug addiction is.

Thus, in Russia, through the regional Directorates of the Federal Service of the Russian Federation for Drug Control, together with narcologists and representatives of the public and government, conferences and round tables are held on the problem of drug addiction, treatment and rehabilitation of drug users. Youth and public organizations under the motto «NO to drugs!» numerous sports competitions, concerts, promotions, flash mobs and other events are held.



• Infographics – poster «June 26 — No drugs! International Day against Drug Abuse» • Article «Where is it, opium for the people?»

2148