International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking | UPSC Notes

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, celebrated on June 26, is declared by the United Nations to commemorate activities and collaboration to combat drug misuse and trafficking. Drug abuse is still a serious issue across the world. Its negative consequences are well known around the world.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is significant for both the UPSC Prelims and GS Paper 2 of the UPSC Mains curriculum. In this article, we will provide you with all details of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking useful for UPSC Exams.

About International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26 since 1989, is dedicated to combating drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. This date commemorates Lin Zexu's dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, concluding on June 25, 1839, just prior to the First Opium War in China. The General Assembly Resolution of December 7, 1987, established this observance.

Background on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Conference on Drug Misuse and Illegal Trafficking in Vienna urged on June 26, 1987, that an annual day be marked to highlight the struggle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. It has been observed every year since 1989. Lin Zexu’s abolition of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, is commemorated on June 26. This episode occurred on June 25, 1839, only a few days before China’s First Opium War. On December 7, 1987, the United Nations established the observance. Campaigns, rallies, and poster creation are the most typical ways for the community to get involved in raising awareness about drug misuse on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a worldwide United Nations observance launched with an objective to lobby against drug misuse and the illegal drug trade.

Read the Article United Nations Convention Against torture here!

Importance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking strives to galvanize efforts to attain the objective of a drug-free society.

• Every year on June 26th, the Worldwide Day Against Drug Usage and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is observed to raise awareness about the terrible consequences of drug abuse and to seek international help to combat it.
• Individuals, communities, and organizations who work together to rehabilitate those suffering from drug misuse and ensure that no drugs are taken or exchanged illegally support the day.
• It emphasizes the physical and psychological consequences of substance misuse, drug overdose mortality, and drug-related humanitarian situations, with the goal of eliminating the threat to society.
• The World Drug Report numbers are also presented on the day to give governments facts and real strategies for overcoming the challenges. Drug users are also provided evidence-based prevention, treatment, and care.
• Communities and governments may work together to put an end to drug misuse and illicit drug trafficking.
• This is a life-affirming activity that can save generations of people from the long-term consequences of drug misuse.

Read about International Organizations here.

Drug Trafficking in India

For the last three decades, India has served as a transit and destination for heroin and hashish manufactured in the Golden Triangle and Golden Crescent. Furthermore, many psychoactive and medicinal preparations, as well as precursor chemicals produced in the United States and other areas of the world, are trafficked through the Indian Territory. The illicit two-way movement of these medicines and chemicals not only breaches Indian borders but also presents a serious threat to national security. Opium and related cannabis derivatives (bhang, marijuana/ganja, and hashish) have long been popular in India. These drugs were mostly used for therapeutic purposes, recreational purposes, or for religious and social rites.

• In terms of users, India is one of the world’s largest opiate markets and would be vulnerable to increased supply.
• In 2020, approximately 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide, a 26% increase over the previous decade.
• Cocaine production reached a new high in 2020, increasing 11% from 2019 to 1,982 tonnes.
• Between 2020 and 2021, global opium production increased by 7% to 7,930 tonnes, primarily due to increased production in Afghanistan.
• In 2020, approximately 3.8 tonnes of heroin were seized in India, ranking it fifth in the world.

Indian Government Initiatives to Tackle Drug Trafficking

Some of the major initiatives undertaken by the Indian government to tackle the trafficking of drugs include:

• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan/Drugs-Free India Campaign
• National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
• Narco-Coordination Centre
• National Fund to Control Drug Abuse

Global Efforts to Tackle Drug Trafficking

Several efforts have been taken up on a global scale to combat the ill effects of the usage of drugs, Some of them include: 

• Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961
• The Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971
• The UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988
• Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
• World Drug Report
• Global Drug Policy Index.

Conclusion

The Worldwide Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established as a statement of the organization’s desire to promote action and collaboration in order to attain the objective of a drug-free international society. The goal of the day is to increase action and collaboration in the pursuit of a drug-free world. And every year, people like you, whole towns, and numerous organisations all around the world come together to celebrate World Drug Day in order to raise awareness of the huge problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

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