International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking Observed on 26 June 2025.

Important Days

On 26 June 2025, the world marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking—also known as World Drug Day—to strengthen global action and cooperation in combatting the widespread impact of drug abuse and the organized crime that fuels it.


      - The United Nations General Assembly officially designated 26 June as the Day in December 1987 under Resolution 42/112. It commemorates China’s decisive action against the opium trade in 1839 and aims to mobilize public health strategies and multilateral collaboration to create a drug-free society.

      - The theme for 2025—“Break the Cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime”—highlights the inextricable link between drug trafficking and organized criminal networks. It underscores the urgent need for sustained interventions in prevention, treatment, recovery, and enforcement.

     

Main Point :-   (i) As per the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), around 292 million individuals age 15–64 used illicit drugs in 2022—a 20% increase over the past decade. This increase fuels demand, strengthens criminal networks, and perpetuates public health and socio-economic strains.

      (ii) UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres emphasized prevention as the “most essential strategy” against organized drug crime. He called for balanced investments across justice, education, healthcare, harm reduction, and viable alternative livelihoods.

(iii) Across India—including Delhi, Nagaland, Kochi, Belagavi, and Patna—local authorities and NGOs hosted awareness rallies, school programmes, and public pledges. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta urged citizens to report suspicious activities—highlighting over 1,100 arrests made in early 2025—and reiterated India’s vision of becoming drug-free by 2047.

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