26th June – International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking

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  • The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as ‘World Drug Day’, is celebrated annually on 26th
  • The date June 26 is to commemorate Lin Zexu‘s dismantling of the opium trade in HumenGuangdong, ending on June 25, 1839just before the First Opium War in China.
  • The day was proclaimed by The United Nations General Assembly resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987.
  • On 26 June 1987, two important texts (Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse Control & Declaration of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking) were adopted at the International Conference.
  • The conference was held in Vienna during 17–26 June 1987 and recommended 26th June as the final date to be written in the draft.
  • International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking aims to attain global support and strengthen action to get rid of drug abuse from the whole world.
  • The theme for 2021 is “Share facts on drugs, save lives” which aims at combating misinformation and promotes sharing the facts on drugs.
  • World Drug Day is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data and life-saving facts, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity.
  • Every year the day is celebrated by conducting several seminars, exhibitions and lectures in all the countries to spread awareness about drug abuse.
  • Even people who are drug addicted come forward and tell their experience about the steps taken by them to leave drugs or stay away from drugs.
  • UN Office on Drugs and Crime provides educational material to teachers and public officials all over the world to help spread the message about the extreme cultural and economic harmillegal trade.