Every year, June 26 is recognized as the World Drug Day. By resolution 42/112 of December 7, 1987 the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe the day as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day serves as a reminder to achieve the goal of forming an international society free of drug abuse. Today is #WorldDrugDay. What’s happening in your community to tackle #drug use? pic.twitter.com/Ryt2QZ7BQ9 — UNODC (@UNODC) June 26, 2014 Every year since 2000, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) decides a theme for the campaign. This year's theme is "A message of hope: Drug use disorders are preventable and treatable". In a related programme in New Delhi today, Union Minister Arun Jaitley expressed his views on International World Drug Day. International Anti Drugs Day pic.twitter.com/XC5XkXAGKh — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) June 26, 2014 #FM Shri Arun Jaitley was speaking at a function here today to mark UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking — PIB India (@PIB_India) June 26, 2014 In his message on World Drug Day, the Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said, "Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have calamitous consequences for the world’s efforts to deliver greater prosperity and equality for all. There are up to 200,000 preventable deaths each year from overdoses. Illicit drugs spawn criminal violence and weaken a state’s essential institutions." According to Data and Analysis of 2011 by UNODC, use of cannabis among young people in India was between 12 - 18 years of age. About 3% of youngsters consume cannabis atleast once in a year (as recorded in 2001). Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking said, "It is important to remember that drug use disorders are preventable and treatable. That, where there is help, there is also hope."
