Int’l Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023 is being observed today (Monday).

This year’s theme is “People First: Stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention”.

The aim of the United Nations Office on Drug And Crime is to raise awareness about the importance of respecting and empathizing with drug users, offering alternatives to punishment and prioritizing prevention.

In December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly made a significant decision to establish June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This date was specifically chosen to honor the courageous actions of Lin Zexu, who dismantled the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, prior to the First Opium War in China.

By commemorating this historical event, the international community aims to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of drug abuse and the illicit trafficking of drugs.