2014 International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking (Aired Newstalk)

A CALL FOR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AS THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IS BEING COMMEMORATED TODAY THURSDAY JUNE 26, 2014

No doubt, the dream or the prime desire of any society in sober state is to experience a serene and tranquil atmosphere. In other words, every man’s paramount desire is to embrace a trouble-free environment or atmosphere since every society is comprised of at least a man.

An abuse, in a nutshell, can be described as a misuse of anything; while drug is any substance used as a medicine or an illegal substance taken for its stimulating and other effects. In the same vein, drug abuse is simply the misuse of a substance used either as a medicine or stimulant. On the other hand, illicit drug trafficking is an act involving an illegal trading in drugs or other substances forbidden by law.

Considering the above definitions, apparently drug abuse is a social ill that involves two distinct dimensions. It could be the misuse of a substance used as a medicine or the improper intake of medicine by an individual. On the contrary, it could be the intake or misuse of a stimulant that is not supported by law such as cocaine, cannabis, marijuana, Indian helm, just to mention but a few. The former is often as a result of ignorance or negligence, while the latter is wholly a criminal and illegal act and as well more dangerous to both human and animal health.

Today June 26, 2014, the entire world is marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking. It is a day that is being observed annually by all the countries in the whole world to sensitize the general public on the dangers that await drug abuse and its illegal trafficking, and how the cankerworm could be eradicated.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was established by law in the year 1987 by the United Nations (UN) following the unanimous resolution reached on 7th December 1987 by the UN’s General Assembly. The aforementioned Assembly decided to observe June 26 of every year as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation in order to achieve the goal of seeing an International Society that is totally free from Drug Abuse.

Prior to the Resolution in 1987, the United Nations General Assembly understood that in spite of the continual and increasing efforts by the international community, the global drug predicament continued to constitute a severe threat to public health, the safety and well-being of humanity especially the young people, and the national security and sovereignty of States thereby undermining the socio-economic and political stability of the affected nations.

Thereafter the resolution was reached, the Assembly encouraged the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to continue its work on International Drug Control, and went further to urge all governments to provide the fullest possible financial cum political assistance to enable UNODC actualize its objectives.

Thus, as the world in its entirety marks the annual International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking today being Thursday 26th June, 2014, I call on governments, NGOs, religious bodies, civil societies, stakeholders, medical experts, all concerned agencies/commissions, the media, and all well-meaning individuals to do everything possible to raise awareness of the harm caused by drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

Above all, the individuals or group of persons abusing the drugs should also help themselves. They ought to acknowledge the fact that, misuse of medicine such as self-medication, consumption of medicine without consulting a physician or an appropriate medical expert, and intake of over/under dose contrary to the doctor’s prescription, are all a death-trap that could kill anyone unannounced.

Also, those who take hard drugs or the ones the law forbids, which invariably lead to anxiety, panic, depression, brain fag or damage of brain cells, mental imbalance, protracted illnesses, death, and what have you, should note that the restrictions as mandated or stipulated by the governments or those in authority are solely for the sake of their well-being. More so, those involved in the illegal cultivation, production, or trafficking of the hard drugs ought to be aware that many have lost their precious lives in the process while many are presently rusting in jail.

It is true that most of these hard drugs are very useful raw-materials currently used in several industries to manufacture a quite number of worthwhile and remarkable products or finished goods; but the singular fact remains that, we’re not meant to consume them when they are still in their raw states.

There is also need for us to know that absolute decency is required while consuming those stimulants that are not forbidden by law such as snuff popularly known as ‘Utaba’, cigarette, cigar, whisky, dry gin otherwise referred to as ‘Kai-Kai’, et cetera. We are expected to comport ourselves in whatever actions we take, so that, our paramount desire of embracing a trouble-free and tranquil atmosphere would be duly actualized.


COMR. FRED NWAOZOR

Owerri-based Public affairs analyst & Social activist

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