The United Nations (UN) annually observes the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking every June 26.
Every year since 1987, the observation has been used to express the UN's determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. It also raises awareness of the major problem illicit drugs represent to society.
2023 Theme: 'People First'
In 2023, the observance calls for a people-centered approach to tackling the world drug problem. Many people across the globe who use drugs face stigma and discrimination, which could further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the help they need.
As a response, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stressed the importance of taking a people-centered approach to drug prevention and rehabilitation policies by focusing on human rights, compassion, and evidence-based practices. This year's campaign also aims to combat stigma and discrimination against those who use drugs by promoting words and attitudes that are respectful and non-judgmental.
Several specific points for this year's theme being endorsed in tackling drug issues include treating drug users struggling to change their lives with empathy, providing evidence-based voluntary services to all, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritizing prevention, and leading with compassion.
The UNODC also issues the World Drug Report, which contains key statistics and factual data obtained through official sources, a science-based approach, and research. The 2023 report will be released on Monday, June 26.
Last year's report highlighted new trends in cannabis post-legalization, environmental impacts of illicit drugs, relations between drug markets and conflict zones like Ukraine, and drug use among women and youth.
Drug Policies Should be Based on Evidence and Human Rights, Activists Say
In a joint statement by several human rights activists and drug policy experts, they called for the UN and the international community to adopt drug policies that are based on evidence and human rights.
The organizations in the statement include the International Drug Policy Consortium, Center on Drug Policy Evaluation, Drugs, Democracy Transnational Institute, and Drug Policy Alliance. The statement was also signed by representatives of the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Penal Reform International, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Instituto RIA AC, and Harm Reduction International.
While they commend the UN for promoting a people-centered approach, they also invited the UN to issue an "unequivocal statement" reinforcing the urgent need for transformative change in drug policies, as well as a call to end the "unmitigated human rights disaster caused by overly punitive drug control" in its upcoming 2024 mid-term review of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on drugs.
The represented groups further called the UN to reflect on the review of its joint statement to address the so-called "war on drugs" and the historical responsibility of the UN system, the international community, and individual member states in "[reversing] the devastation" it brought to the world for decades.
The UN was also encouraged to consider the global grassroots campaign "Support. Don't Punish" to be able to build bridges between affected communities and decision-makers, promote community leadership, and challenge state violence and neglect in favor of rights-affirming and caring responses
"Your support on the day would strongly resonate with this global show of force for meaningful change and inspire advocates for drug policy reform all over the world," the statement wrote.
UN Reveals Southeast Asia Smuggling Scheme via Burmese Meth Boats
The UN reported earlier this month that the Asian drug trafficking networks were increasingly utilizing sea routes to smuggle methamphetamines out of Myanmar's meth factories in the Shan state while simultaneously escalating ketamine production as part of their expansion efforts.
According to the Daily Sabah, the border region of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand has been producing and trafficking illegal drugs, particularly meth, and opium, which prompted increased drug patrols in China's southwestern Yunnan province as well as the Thai border between Myanmar.
Punjab Government: Drug Addicts Caught with Small Amounts to be Rehabilitated
The Indian state of Punjab considered decriminalizing drug use in order for addicts caught with small amounts of narcotics to be rehabilitated instead of imprisoned.
Punjab health and family minister Dr. Balbir Singh, however, clarified that drug use remains illegal and that drug peddlers and smugglers were to be severely punished.
"Under the policy, drug addicts or people with substance use disorders caught with small amounts of drugs will be sent to de-addiction centers for treatment and rehabilitation instead of being put in jails," he said during the Experts Meeting on Mental Health Issues and Interventions in Punjab.
The measures would also include allowing rehabilitated individuals to acquire skills and provide them with jobs to help them transition their return to mainstream society.
US Navy Sends Ship to Support Counter-Narco Ops
Meanwhile, the US Navy has deployed the Freedom-class littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Detroit and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Detachment 11, to support counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
In a statement released by the Navy, Detroit would involve "practical exercises and exchanges with partner nation maritime services," support the interoperability of the US Fourth Fleet, and reinforce its power as a "regional partner of choice."
Aside from Detroit's own crew of sailors and an aviation detachment, she would be supported by a US Coast Guard law enforcement unit.
"The crew has been extremely dedicated in its preparation and is ready for 4th Fleet tasking," said USS Detroit commanding officer Cmdr. Kyle Hickman.
US lawmakers have been discussing the fate of the Freedom-class LCS fleet in recent months, including the Detroit. However, she and eight of her sister ships have been reported to be under-performing, With six more still being built, the US Congress has been debating whether the nine Freedom-class LCSs should be retired or donated to allied navies.
