International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed on 26 June to strengthen global action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Observance of this day aims to raise awareness to fight against the substance abuse as well as the unlawful trade of drugs.

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was first observed by the UN General Assembly in 1987. According to World Drug Report 2017, released by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) about a quarter of a billion people (or 5.3% global adult population) used drugs at least once in 2015. Of these, around 29.5 million people - or 0.6 per cent of the global adult population were suffered from drug use disorders, including dependence.

Listen First

Building on the success of last year, the theme for 2018 is: Listen First- Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe. It is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities. Listening to children and youth is the first step to help them so that they will grow healthy and safe.

Drug abuse is one of the most serious health problems.  Besides causing serious diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, it has several side effects in the form of economic loss, antisocial behaviour such as stealing, violence and crime besides social stigma and overall downfall of the society.

Drug racket operates internationally, but some countries are transshipment points for drug circulation. India possibly because of its strategic location is more prone to drug activities including drug trafficking and local consumption. The influence of westernization, changing family structure and peer pressure are some of the reasons behind drug abuse.

Listen First: Facts for parents

• A strong bond between children and parents is based on listening to them and showing you care. Even in difficult circumstances, a strong bond between children and parents can mean less risky behaviours.
• Spending even a small amount of time each day with complete attention to your child can really help.
• Praise your child for at least one thing he/she is doing right even if small.
• Ask your child what you need to know; where he/she will be, for how long, with whom, and doing what.

Listen First: Facts for teachers

• Teachers can have a positive influence on children and youth to help them grow happy and resilient.
• Even in very difficult circumstances, children who are in school and feel a sense of belonging are less vulnerable to risky behaviours.
• The first step towards a strong bond between children and teachers is listening with empathy and care.
• Support the development of the personal and social skills of children through a curriculum of interactive activities.
• Create a positive school culture that supports the active participation of students.

National Programmes related to prevention of substance abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE), Government of India are involved with alcohol and drug demand reduction policies and drug de-addiction programme (DDAP) in the country.

Various e- Health web based programmes related to prevention of substance abuse such as alcohol e-Help (alcoholwebindia.in/intervention) operated by National Drug Dependence  Treatment  Centre (NDDTC),AIIMS, Delhi  and m-Cessation programme (nhp.gov.in/quit-tobacco) for tobacco cessation have been initiated by MoHFW, GoI.

National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): MoHFW, GoI has implemented various targeted interventions programme for IDUs such as Needle syringe programme, Opioid substitution therapy.

The MSJE has formulated the central sector scheme of assistance for prevention of alcoholism and substance (drugs) abuse for social defence services which has been updated in 2015.

The Department of Revenue, Central government acts as administrator of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988;

The Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs functions as an enforcement agency for NDPS Act.

              National Toll Free Drug de- addiction helpline Number 1800-11-0031

Know more about substance abuse- nhp.gov.in/

International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking 2017

References-

http://www.un.org/en/events/drugabuseday/

https://www.nhp.gov.in/disease/non-communicable-disease/substance-abuse

https://www.unodc.org/wdr2017/field/Booklet_1_EXSUM.pdf