Essence of observance of international anti-drug day
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 27, 2022 -
THE themes may change every year and vary among the countries and regions but the core idea of the observance of International Day Against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is aimed at reminding the stakeholders concerned that the battle against substance abuse is far from being over.
It is also an event to prod the conscience of those governments which are yet to frame a policy to curb the menace of drug abuse or haven't been successful in checking trafficking of illicit psycho-active substances.
There must be a reason for the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a resolution on December 7, 1987 for observance of June 26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Apart from Islamic nations where drug abuse and smuggling are not serious issues due to enforcement of stringent laws, including impromptu death sentence, many other countries and regions continue to struggle to contain the menace.
As such the UN advocated observance of June 26 to underscore its determination, strengthen action and solicit cooperation of the governments to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
Supported each year by individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs causes to the society.
It is an initiative to increase support for prevention of drug use and is considered an investment in the well-being of children and youth, their families and their communities, through collective campaign to check demand and reduce supply, and to restrict access to controlled medicines.
The observance also gives emphasis on proportionate national sentencing policies and practices for drug-related offences, and features a strong focus on prevention and treatment.
Here in Manipur the observance is widespread and generally involves both government and non-governmental institutions thereby signifying the serious impact that substance abuse has been having on the state's greatest asset, the youth who comprise over 75 per cent of the population.
On its part, the government has been unrelenting from its anti-drug campaigns as it is evident from security forces seizing heroin, brown sugar, opium and psychotropic drugs in large quantities almost every day.
However, the increasing numbers of rehabilitation centres set up across the state is a grim reminder that the battle must be intensified as the magnitude of drug menace is not only affecting public health and socio-economic situation but is also posing as a serious impediment to maintaining social stability.
Few decades back, youth of the state used to be mainly addicted to opiate substances and liquor whereas at the juncture the society is facing a huge challenge from the dangerous concoction of opium by-products and easy accessibility to drug stimulants, which are produced by major government-authorised drug manufacturing firms.
Thus, to protect the youth and the coming generation from falling prey to the menace of drug addiction, it is imperative that the government galvanise all available resources and manpower to make its 'war on drugs' mission purposeful in addressing the drug problems and ensuring healthy upbringing and channelizing of the youthful energy towards productive activities.
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