26 June marks United Nations’ international day against drug abuse and illegal drug trade.
It is observed annually on the 26 June, since 1987. Its determination to strengthen actions and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
The United Nations office on drug and crime (UNODC) selects themes for the international day and launches campaigns to raise awareness about the global drug problem. Health is the ongoing theme of the world drug campaign.
The South African government and its partners are implementing the National Drug Master plan, which is a collective effort towards a South Africa that is free of drug abuse. The Master plan serves as the country’s blueprint for preventing and reducing alcohol and substance abuse and its associated social and economic consequences on South African society, and builds on the foundation laid down by government’s programme of action on alcohol and substance abuse.
The key outcomes of the five year national Drug Master plan are:
• Reduction of the bio-socio-economic impact of substance abuse and illnesses on the South African population
• Ability of all people in South Africa to deal with problems related to substance abuse within communities
• Recreational facilities and diversion programmes that prevent vulnerable populations from becoming substance dependents
• Develop and implantation of multi-disciplinary and multimodal protocols and practices for integrated diagnosis and treatment of substance dependence and co-occurring disorders and for funding such diagnosis and treatment
Research indicates that social costs of alcohol related trauma and accidents far exceed those of other countries and that intoxication was a major factor in road accidents. According to the South African Revenue service the known direct cost of drug abuse in 2005 was roughly R101 000 million. The social cost of illicit drug use was calculated using international data and is approximately R136 380 million annually. The relationship between alcohol and illegal drugs, crime, and violence is both direct and complex. In 2007, more than 47% of victims of homicide tested positively for alcohol at the time of death. Alcohol makes people vulnerable to crime
Government calls on all South Africans to join hands in the implementation of the national programme of action against substance and alcohol abuse. Community support is extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate and accept those addicted to substances. Help break the stigma and promote faster recovery. To be a good role model and empower young people to deal with life challenges to buffer substance abuse.
