Latest news with #WorldDrugDay
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025: History, significance, and what this year's theme means
Drug abuse isn't just a health issue—it's a social, economic, and humanitarian crisis that impacts millions of lives every year. Rising overdose deaths, and growing criminal networks, hints that the problem is far-reaching and evolving. Observed every year on June 26, the world drug day, offers the world a chance to reflect, speak up, and act against this complex issue. It's a moment for governments, communities, and individuals to raise awareness about the risks of drug abuse and rally for stronger, more compassionate responses—starting with prevention, and ending with long-term, sustainable recovery solutions. How it all began The origin of World Drug Day dates back to December 7, 1987, when the United Nations General Assembly formally established the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The intent was to build a coordinated, international response to rising concerns about drug use and trafficking across borders. Ever since, June 26 has become a globally recognized day for action, dialogue, and commitment to a world free from the dangers of illicit drugs. From city-wide campaigns to international conferences, the day serves as a reminder that drug-related harm touches every corner of the globe—and that reversing it requires global cooperation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDsกับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้| เปิดบัญชีวันนี้ IC Markets สมัคร Undo This year's theme: 'Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime' The theme for World Drug Day 2025 is both urgent and bold: 'Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime.' It zeroes in on one of the most entrenched elements fueling drug problems worldwide—organized crime. Trafficking networks thrive in environments of instability and inequality, exploiting vulnerable communities and making it harder for individuals to escape addiction or poverty. This year's campaign highlights how breaking the cycle of drug abuse means more than cutting off supply chains. It means tackling root causes: lack of access to education, poor mental health support, failing justice systems, and the absence of alternative livelihoods. The goal is to shift from short-term crackdowns to long-term investment in resilience, prevention, and community-based support. When people are given the tools to thrive through healthcare, education, and opportunity—organised crime loses its grip. What the numbers tell us The scale of drug use globally is staggering—and growing. As of 2023, around 316 million people had used drugs in the past year. That's not just a reflection of population growth; it's a sign that drug use is becoming more widespread, with the prevalence increasing steadily over the past decade. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, 292 million people—or 5.6% of the global population aged 15–64—used illicit substances in 2022 alone. But beyond usage lies something even more serious: addiction. About 64 million people live with drug use disorders, often silently, without treatment, and with limited support. The costs aren't just personal—they ripple out into families, communities, and entire economies. Illicit drug use is estimated to drain up to 2% of a country's GDP, straining healthcare systems, overburdening courts, and fueling a cycle of social exclusion. The death toll is heartbreaking. Around 600,000 lives are lost every year, largely due to opioid overdoses. And among the 14.8 million people who inject drugs, many face increased risks of HIV and hepatitis C, with infection rates as high as 15.2% and 38.8%, respectively. These aren't just numbers. They represent real people—mothers, fathers, students, workers—whose lives are upended by an issue that often begins in silence and stigma. Why it's getting worse—and what's feeding it One reason the drug crisis keeps escalating is because the systems meant to stop it are often reactive instead of preventive. Drug trafficking networks have become incredibly agile, always evolving their methods, and thriving in places where law enforcement is weak or communities are underserved. And demand is fed by personal struggles—mental health issues, trauma, poverty, and a lack of purpose or support. What's worse, organized crime doesn't just supply drugs—it profits from instability. The more divided, unequal, or desperate a society becomes, the easier it is for traffickers to gain power. And once addiction sets in, it doesn't just damage one life—it affects families, pushes people into crime or homelessness, and reinforces cycles that are hard to escape. How can we help The good news? This crisis is not beyond our control. But solving it requires a shift in mindset—from punishment to prevention, from stigma to support. One of the most powerful tools is education—giving young people the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices. Mental health care also plays a huge role, offering people a path toward healing before addiction takes root. Governments across the world need to invest in accessible treatment, rehabilitation programs, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. They need to promote conversation around drugs and its abuse. Organisations like WHO are already leading the way through initiatives like SAFER, which guides countries in reducing substance-related harm. Even at an individual level we can make a difference. Small action matters even if it is as small as just standing along with a friend trying to come out of that cycle.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
ISAM commemorates World Drug Day with call for science-based, compassionate global addiction care
26 June 2025 16:47 ABU DHABI (WAM)The International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM), a globally recognised body of over 15,000 professional members and 55 national and regional societies, marked World Drug Day 2025 with a renewed commitment to advancing evidence-based, humane, and collaborative approaches to substance use and behavioral addiction reinforces that addiction is a complex health condition with profound implications for individuals, families and it effectively requires a multidisciplinary response, one that integrates medical, psychological, social, and public health perspectives.'Addiction is not a moral failing; it is a treatable condition influenced by a host of social, economic, and psychological determinants,' noted Dr. Hamad Al Ghafri, ISAM President.'On this World Drug Day, we call upon the international community to support treatment grounded in science and human rights.'ISAM's global engagement includes partnerships with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), and the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).Through these collaborations, ISAM contributes expert guidance to global panels and commissions; builds healthcare capacity in low- and middle-income countries; supports the development and evaluation of national addiction-related policies, and promotes culturally responsive and evidence-informed public health Society continues to prioritise education, training, research and innovation, upholding its core values of equity, dignity, diversity, and scientific also pays tribute to the researchers, clinicians, peer advocates, and individuals with lived experience whose contributions are essential to reducing harm and fostering recovery. 'Addiction medicine is not solely the practice of treating individuals — it is the collective endeavour to reform health systems and social attitudes through knowledge, humility, and purpose,' ISAM said in a statement. Related News Arab Parliament condemns Israeli attack on Iran
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Business Standard
8 hours ago
- Health
- Business Standard
International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025: Date, theme, and why it matters
Every year on 26 June, the world observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—also known as 'World Drug Day'—to raise awareness of the global drug crisis and promote multilateral action toward prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. History & Theme On December 7, 1987, the General Assembly of the United Nations set aside the 26th day of June of each year as International Day Against Illicit Trafficking of Drugs and other Substances of Abuse to be observed worldwide. The theme for 2025, Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime, emphasises the significance of focused long-term action to disrupt the link between drug trafficking and organised crime, both of which fuel violence, corruption, and instability across regions. 'Prevention and preparedness are how we break the cycle of organized crime.' @GhadaFathiWaly calls for the critical need to #InvestInPrevention, to protect people from drug use and empower communities to live in safety and dignity. #WorldDrugDay — UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) June 26, 2025 Organiser & Purpose Drug use: Global numbers from WHO WHO's data paints a stark picture: In 2022, 292 million people (5.6% of those aged 15–64) used illicit drugs at least once. 64 million individuals suffered from drug use disorders. In 2021, 296 million people used psychoactive substances, and around 600,000 lives were lost annually, primarily due to opioid overdoses. Approximately 14.8 million people inject drugs, with high HIV (15.2%) and hepatitis C (38.8%) prevalence. The global burden of drug use can cost up to 2% of a country's GDP, draining healthcare, legal, and social systems. International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025: Significance This day aims to: De-stigmatize drug dependence and treat it as a chronic medical condition. Expand affordable and evidence-based treatment services. Strengthen harm reduction strategies like needle exchange, opioid substitution therapy, and naloxone access. Foster international cooperation to combat organized crime linked to illicit trafficking. Looking forward Achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.5—which calls for strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse—requires robust investments in healthcare, education, and community-led solutions. WHO continues to guide nations with tools, technical support, and initiatives like SAFER to reduce substance-related harm.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
World Drug Day: How organised crime fuels South Africa's drug crisis
Some South African parents are forcing their children into addiction – introducing them to drugs or pushing them to deal and trapping them in a brutal cycle of destruction. On World Drug Day, commemorated globally today, the spotlight falls not just on drug users but on the powerful networks behind the supply chain. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has made this year's theme, 'Break the Cycle', a direct call to confront the role of organised crime in perpetuating the global drug crisis. In South Africa, the issue has reached what addiction expert Adèl Grobbelaar, who heads up SANCA Wedge Gardens Treatment Centre in Johannesburg, calls 'pandemic levels'. 'The drug crisis in South Africa is no longer a marginal problem. It is entrenched in every layer of society,' says Grobbelaar. 'Drugs are easily and cheaply available. This normalises use and traps individuals and communities in cycles of substance use disorder and crime.' Organised crime: The engine behind the epidemic According to the UNODC, organised crime is the major driver of the global illicit drug trade, with devastating consequences. South Africa is no exception. Grobbelaar explains that gangs dominate certain areas, controlling the flow of drugs and demanding criminal loyalty from those within their reach. 'In some areas, joining a gang is conditional on committing a crime, which pulls the individual not only into substance use but into a criminal underworld,' she says. The corruption doesn't end on the streets. 'Bribery and missing court dockets are common,' Grobbelaar adds. 'Even when suspects are arrested, drugs continue to flow into correctional facilities. The criminal justice system focuses on violent crimes like assault and trafficking, while drug use often takes a backseat.' Schools: The new battleground 'Drug gangs have infiltrated schools,' Grobbelaar warns. 'They specifically target vulnerable children – homeless kids, those from broken homes, or child-headed households.' Grobbelaar explains that drug lords sometimes offer scholarships to private and public schools, not as acts of charity but as recruitment strategies. 'These children may not use drugs themselves, but they are used to gain customers. If they deliver, they stay in school. If not, the support disappears.' Some parents, shockingly, even push their children into the drug trade. 'We've had clients whose parents introduced them to drugs. It's heartbreaking.' No school is immune. 'We often get learners referred to us for drug testing,' she says. 'I doubt there is a single school in the country that can claim to be drug-free. Sadly, many schools and teachers look the other way, because once you dig, the problems are overwhelming.' She also criticises the lack of alignment between government departments. 'Education, Social Development, Health – they are not working together. Without a co-ordinated effort, we'll never tackle this at the root.' Desperation and inequality Grobbelaar highlights how South Africa's high unemployment rate and deep-rooted poverty create a perfect breeding ground for drug abuse. 'Some individuals resort to selling drugs just to feed their families. Others, particularly the homeless, use drugs to escape the harsh reality of street life.' She notes a disturbing trend: 'Living on the streets becomes a lifestyle, even an addiction. People know where to get food, how to hustle, and how to survive. Some even rent children to play on people's emotions when they stand at traffic lights asking for money.' Breaking the cycle The message for World Drug Day is clear: Organised crime fuels substance use disorders, and it thrives in environments where poverty, corruption, and systemic failure go unchecked. 'The only way to break this cycle,' Grobbelaar says, 'is through collaboration, social investment and community-level interventions. We need more than just talk, we need action.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
International Day Against Drug Abuse 2025: Know the date, theme, history, and significance
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025: According to the most recent UNODC World Drug Report, the number of drug users will reach 292 million by 2022, a 20% increase over the previous decade. On December 7, 1987, the General Assembly declared June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to encourage action and collaboration towards the goal of a drug-free world. It is also known as World Drug Day, with the day aiming to increase action and collaboration in the effort to end illicit drug use throughout the globe. The theme for 2025, 'Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime', emphasises the significance of focused long-term action to break the cycle of organised crime and drug trafficking. 'Prevention and preparedness are how we break the cycle of organized crime.'@GhadaFathiWaly calls for the critical need to #InvestInPrevention, to protect people from drug use and empower communities to live in safety and dignity.#WorldDrugDay — UN Office on Drugs & Crime (@UNODC) June 26, 2025 It encourages tackling it through fundamental causes, the day encourages investment in prevention, including justice, education, health care, and alternative livelihoods – all are essential components of long-term resilience. Every year, people, cities, and various organisations throughout the world support this global observance, which attempts to raise awareness of the huge threat that illegal drugs pose to society. The Government of India, through its zero-tolerance policy, active enforcement measures, and people-centric programs such as Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, is making significant progress towards a safer, healthier, and drug-free future for Indians. #WATCH | Delhi: As Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) organises the Program Of Cyclothon on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit, Director General of NCB, Anurag Garg says, '26 June is celebrated as International Anti-Drug day and the way it is emerging in… — ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2025
