To make the society free of drug abuse, the General assembly on December 7, 1987, decided to observe June 26 as an International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The global aim of this international day is to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society. June 26 is also known as World Drug Day.

World Drug Day 2020 Theme

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects theme every year for the International Day and launches campaigns to raise awareness about the global drug problem. This year UNODC gives “Better knowledge for better care” theme to world Drug Day 2020. This year’s theme aims at improving the understanding of the world drug problem and at fostering greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance, and security.

What is Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse is taking more than a normal dose of pills or someone else prescribed medication. It is the use of legal or illegal substances in ways that are not good for health. People use drugs to feel good and to relieve tension. Sometimes Drug abuse and drug addiction are taken as similar but there is a difference between them. Drug addiction occurs when someone can’t resist the use of drugs no matter what harm it may cause to them. Addiction affects their brain and behavior.

Today, young boys and girls are increasingly engaged in prescription drug abuse to treat conditions such as attention-deficit disorder. They especially use narcotics, also called opioids and stimulant drugs that basically help in relieving pain.

Drug abuse divides into three groups: depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

The common drugs that are in use: Alcohol, Tobacco, Cocaine, Opium, and opioids from poppy plants, Hashish or marijuana from cannabis, Synthetic drugs such as heroin and many more

Some information source:https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-drug-abuse-day