WORLD ASSEMBLY OF YOUTH
PRESS RELEASE
INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING
DATE: 26TH JUNE 2014
“No one is immune from addiction; it afflicts people of all ages, races, classes, and professions.”
~ Patrick J. Kennedy ~
Drug abuse poses significant health challenges to the whole world. They are globally prevented due to its serious effects on health, social, economic and security matters. This problem is no longer limited to one type of drug or to a particular country or a specific class of the community.
In 1987 the United Nation (UN) decided to give focus to the phenomenon of drug abuse and drug trafficking and called for a concerted global effort to fight the rise of drugs which has become a global trade. The poignant question we need to ask ourselves as responsible citizens of our countries is: What have we done to raise awareness and report drugs related crimes that happen in our countries?
Today, 26th June 2014, is the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a day which was created by the General Assembly of the United Nations to raise awareness of the negative impacts of drug abuse and trafficking and as a determination to strengthen action as well as cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society, free of drug abuse. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organizations all over the world.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has, over the years, been actively involved in launching campaigns to mobilize support for drug control. According to the UNODC, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics. The General Assembly recognized that despite the continued and increased efforts by the international community, the world drug problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity, in particular those of young people.
As such, we at the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), we tackled drug abuse as one of our youth issues so as to help young people to arise and extinguish the use of illegal drugs. We empower youth leaders and organizations to collaborate together to achieve drug free zone. The collaboration is needed to implement new ideas and strategies to combat drug abuse including improvement of policies which support the achievement towards a Drug Free Generation. One of our efforts was the 8th Melaka International Youth Dialogue, ‘Towards a Drug Free Generation’ which elevated not only awareness but also improvements in attaining Drug Free Generation. We also believe that something has to be done as a matter of national priority to restore the social fabric of our nation before it is too late to correct the situation from deteriorating further. The youth need to be empowered to take control of their lives and not let drugs control them. Philip K. Dick said “Drug misuse is not a disease; it is a decision, like the decision to step out in front of a moving car. You would call that not a disease but an error of judgment”.
-END-
WAY Secretariat
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