International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an annual observance that aims to raise awareness about the significant dangers of drug abuse and illicit trade. The event seeks to foster global cooperation in combating these issues while promoting individual and collective responsibility in addressing them. This observance seeks to educate people on the detrimental consequences of drug use and promote healthy lifestyles devoid of substance abuse.

While the issue of drug abuse and illicit trafficking may seem distant, it is highly relevant to New Zealanders. The United Nations first designated June 26th as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987, in response to the growing drug crisis which has since spread globally. Substance abuse, whether related to prescription medications or illicit drugs, carries great risks to the individual user as well as the wider community. Issues such as increased health care costs, decline in productivity, and drug-related criminal activities impact the nation as a whole.

To observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in New Zealand, various organisations hold events that encompass awareness, prevention, and rehabilitation. These events can include educational seminars, workshops, and conferences that share information and resources aimed at tackling drug-related issues. Schools and community groups may also conduct activities that challenge cultural norms around drug use and encourage informed decision-making. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26th.

Facts about this day

• No one is immune from addiction; it afflicts people of all ages, races, classes, and professions - Patrick J. Kennedy, American democratic politician and former US representative for Rhode Island.
• New Zealand has the third-highest rate of opioid misuse in the developed world, after the United States and Canada.
• New Zealand was one of the first countries to establish a nationwide needle exchange program in 1987. The program aims to reduce the spread of bloodborne viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C among people who inject drugs.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Top things to do in NZ for this observance

• Donate to one of the many addiction and substance abuse recovery charities and safe injection sites in your neighborhood. All proceeds are used to help treat addicts who are looking to recover from drug addiction and return to society and safe needle programs help reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.
• Attend the World Drug Report 2016, which is organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, by watching the webcast online.
• Watch a documentary to learn about drug abuse and illicit trafficking in New Zealand. Here are our recommendations:
  1. Waru (2017)- A New Zealand film consisting of eight separate stories, one of which delves into methamphetamine abuse and the impact on families and communities.
  2. Hooked: Over the Counter Addiction (2011)- A TV documentary that investigates the widespread addiction to over-the-counter drugs, such as codeine-based painkillers, in New Zealand.
  3. The Red House (2012)- A New Zealand documentary that explores the world of P, or methamphetamine, in small-town New Zealand and its impact on communities and individuals.
• Read a book to learn more about drug abuse and illicit trafficking in New Zealand. Here are some suggestions:
  1. Meth Nation: New Zealand's Drug Epidemic by Nicky Hager and Johann Hari
  2. New Zealand's Drug Problem: Overcoming Addiction in Aotearoa by Mike Williams
  3. Trapped: The True Story of New Zealand's Most Bizarre Drug Arrests by Erik Hartvig