An International Issue

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

The world-wide spread and abuse of drugs has become one of the most serious hazards concerned by the international community. According to the United Nations, the annually worldwide drug trade has amounted to more than 500 billion USD, ranking only second to that of the weapons. Drugs not only devastate human health, harm national quality, and fuel violence and crimes, but also swallow up huge social wealth. The losses caused by the drugs as well as the enormous expenditure on cracking them down have become a heavy burden of the developing countries. Moreover, even in the developed countries like the United States, drug abuse is still a seriously rampant social problem. Although a combination of measures have been taken by the government, including educating, preventing, and fighting, little improvement have been made so far. Drug abuse has also become a serious international issue anguishing numerous politicians.

A ministerial conference on the issue of drug abuse and illicit trafficking participated by 3,000 delegates from 138 countries was held by the United Nations in Vienna on June 12-26, 1987. The slogan of “love life, no drugs” has been put forward at the meeting. All participants unanimously agreed to declare June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to attract world-wide attention to work together to solve the drug problem. In December of the same year, the 42nd General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the resolution to make the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (International Day against Drug Abuse) on June 26 each year.

Since 1992, a theme has been designed for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking of each year to call for joint concern and participation of the international community.