Every year on June 26th, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking raises awareness about drug abuse and the negative repercussions of illicit trafficking.
According to the most recent World Drug Report, 35 million people worldwide suffer from drug abuse disorders. The number of opioid users is 53 million. In 2017, about 585,000 people died from drug use. Opioids caused two-thirds of these deaths.
Illicit trafficking of drugs is also a huge problem throughout the world. This is due to the growing market for illicit drugs in East Africa and the entire African continent. In addition, frequent international flights, inadequate trafficking controls, and corruption amongst customs officers only compound the problem of illicit trafficking.
As drug abuse and illicit trafficking become more prevalent, this day becomes more important.
On June 26th, 1987, the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking adopted two important texts about drug abuse and illicit trafficking. The Conference recommended a day to observe the importance of the battle against drugs. They chose June 26th as the date commemorating the dismantling of the opium trade in Guangdong in 1839. Thus, the first official International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was held on June 26th, 1989.
The theme of the 2021 "Share Facts On Drugs, Save Lives".
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