The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is commemorated annually on 26 June. The United Nations has announced this year's theme: "The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention."
The global drug problem represents a multifaceted challenge that affects the lives of millions worldwide. From individuals with substance use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organised crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex. Central to addressing this challenge is the need to adopt a scientific, evidence-based approach that prioritises prevention and treatment.
Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector, stressed the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of drugs. She highlighted the negative health, social, economic, and security impacts of drug use and underscored the need to include awareness and educational programmes across various media to spread health awareness about the dangers of drugs among all segments of society. This effort aims to create a drug-free environment.
She emphasised the importance of member states collecting and analysing data to monitor trends in the field of drugs. She noted that the Arab region faces various challenges, including conflicts and their side effects, humanitarian crises, and the effects of climate change, all of which contribute to increasing drug use rates.
The ambassador stated that the General Secretariat (Social Affairs Sector / Health and Humanitarian Aid Department) is working in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to implement the Regional Framework of Action for Arab States (2023-2028). This framework was signed by His Excellency the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States and the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on 26 March 2023 at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States. It aims to adopt a balanced approach to combating drugs.
Additionally, the ambassador highlighted ongoing cooperation between the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers in the field of combating drugs. The second meeting between the two sides will be organised to discuss various topics related to supporting the health of Arab citizens. This includes the League of Arab States' strategy to combat the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, as well as a plan to address new developments regarding the misuse of medical and psychological drugs and strategies to confront their harms.
