The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, or World Drug Day, is marked on 26 June every year, to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving the goal of a world free of drug abuse.
And each year, individuals, entire communities, and various organizations all over the world join in on this global observance, to raise awareness of the major problems that illicit drugs represent for society.
Every year, UNODC issues the World Drug Report, full of key statistics and factual data obtained through official sources, a science-based approach and research. UNODC continues to provide facts and practical solutions to address the current world drug problem, and remains committed to attaining a vision of health for all based on science.
Health and justice sectors are under pressure and access to services and support is obstructed when we can least afford it.
In 2022, the world continues to witness widespread humanitarian crises in the world, while the COVID-19 pandemic is still a major global health crisis.
The synthetic drug crisis also requires nimble and adaptable solutions. A growing sense of global community and solidarity continues to emerge, as does the need to care for all in times of crises.
Afghanistan has long been known as one of the opium producers in the world and according to a UN study last year.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a November report that the 2021 opium harvest, completed in July, marked the fifth year in a row with production at historic highs of more than 6,000 tons, potentially yielding up to 320 tons of pure heroin to be trafficked to markets around the world.
The report also noted that at the end of the annual opium cultivation season in July 2021, the area under opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan was estimated at 177,000 hectares.
Opium poppy cultivation has been increasing steadily over the past two decades, with an average rise of 4,000 hectares each year since systematic monitoring began in 1994 – albeit with strong yearly fluctuations.
With the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) takeover in mid-August 2021 last year, in a major crackdown on illegal practices in the country, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) supreme leader in April this year issued a decree banning the cultivation of poppies in Afghanistan.
According to the decree, “all Afghans are informed that from now on, cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country.
“If anyone violates the decree, the crop will be destroyed immediately and the violator will be treated according to the Sharia law,” the decree said.
The decree stated that in addition to this, usage, transportation, trade, export and import of all types of narcotics such as alcohol, heroin, Tablet K (which can contain methamphetamine and/or heroin), hashish and all drug manufacturing factories in Afghanistan are strictly banned.
The decree noted that “enforcement of this decree is mandatory”. In addition, anyone breaking this law will be “prosecuted and punished”.
Currently, there are nearly 3 million drug-addicts in Afghanistan, which is so painful. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has pledged to prevent from producing and cultivation of poppy and drugs in the country. Besides, counter the phenomenon requires close cooperation and determination of the international community.
Zarabi
Counter narcotics requires continued cooperation from international community
