M.A.Jabbar :
The United Nations General Assembly created June26 as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The day raises awareness of two important world issues – World Drug Day and the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking. Established in 1987, the day is now in its 27 year and its pro-health campaign is stronger than ever. Each year the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects a theme for the day. The theme of the day this year focuses on Think health, not drug, is very appropriate and timely. Individuals, communities and various governments and non-government organizations all over the world support the day.
UNODC encourages as many awareness-raising activities as possible around the globe and invite individuals, non-profit organizations, the private sector and member states to get involved by: i. organizing outreach or institutional events to mark 26 June ii. spreading the word about the campaign through individual’s network and contacts iii. using the campaign slogan and logo in promotional products, websites and social media iv. donating funds to local NGOs in support to drug prevention and treatment efforts, or making in-kind contribution to the campaign and related events.
Facts reveal that: i. around 210 million people or 4.8 percent of the population aged 15-64, took illicit substances at least once in 2010. ii. cannabis users comprised the largest number of illicit drug users in 2010 (129-190 million people) iii. in 2007 and 2008, some 16 to 17 million people used cocaine worldwide. iv. in 2008, global heroin seizures reached a record level of 73.7 metric tons. v. The first international conference to discuss the world’s narcotics problem was convened in February 1909 in Shanghai. This forum became known as the Opium Commission and it laid the groundwork for the elaboration of the first international drug treaty, the International Opium Convention of The Hague (1912).
The Secretary General’s message on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is very important and guiding force for all concerned. To quote the message-“Drug trafficking, once viewed largely as a social and criminal problem, has transformed in recent years into a major threat to the health and security of people and regions. …..because the threat is so urgent, I recently established a Task Force to develop a UN system-wide strategy to coordinate and strengthen our responses to illicit drugs and organized crime by building them into all UN peacekeeping, peace building, security, development and disarmament activities ……This year’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing these twin threats through the rule of law and the provision of health services. Our commemoration concides with the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This Convention and the other major international drug control treaties do more than help us in the fight against drug trafficking, they protect vulnerable people through a wide range of activities to which States parties commit themselves, including education and prevention, treatment of drug dependence, care and rehabilitation for drug users, and social support. These measures are critical, because drug use, at its core, is a health issue. Drug dependence is a disease, not a crime. The real criminals are the drug traffickers. Nevertheless, the supply side is only half of the equation. Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production, or trafficking. Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution. Families, schools, civil society, and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics. We can succeed if we reinforce our commitment to the basic principles of health and human rights, shared responsibility, a balanced approach to reducing supply and demand and universal access to prevention, treatment, and support. This will foster communities free of drug-related crime and violence, individuals free of drug dependence who can contribute to our common future and a safer world for all”.
Trafficking in fraudulent medicine: Fraudulent medicines pose a considerable public health threat as they can fail to cure, may harm, and even kill patients. These threats to public health have led the international community to call for a stronger and more coordinated response, Compounding this public health risk is the fact that the supply chain for medicines operates at a global level, and therefore, a concerted effort at the international level is required to effectively detect and combat the introduction of fraudulent medicines along this supply chain. The 20th session of the Commission on crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) adopted resolution 20/6 on fraudulent medicines, otherwise referred to as falsified medicines due to concern about the involvement of organized crime in the trafficking in fraudulent medicine. At the same time, resolution 20/6 highlights the potential utility of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) for which UNODC is the guardian, in re-enforcing international cooperation in the fight against trafficking, through, its provisions, inter alia, on mutual legal assistance, extraction and the seizing, freezing and forfeiture of the instrument alities and proceeds of crime.
UNODC, in cooperation with other United Nations bodies and international organizations, such as the International Narcotics Control Board(INCB), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO/INTERPOL), as well as relevant regional organizations and mechanisms, national regulatory agencies for medicines and, where appropriate, the private sector, civil society organizations and professional associations, assist Member States of the illicit supply chain, in particular distribution and trafficking, to better utilize the experiences, technical expertise and resources of each organization and to create synergies with interested partners.
Bangladesh perspective: As a peace-loving country, Bangladesh has always expressed solidarity with the international communities/bodies for upholding human rights and values, health and wellbeing of the people. As a member state, Government of Bangladesh is very serious and cordial to combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and is committed to materialize the UN policies and strategies in this respect. With that end in view, the Narcotics Control Act was passed for the control of narcotics, treatment, and rehabilitation of drug addicts. The department undertakes many programme for health and welfare of the people, which include educational and publicity measures for creating necessary public awareness about the evil effects of narcotics.
Bangladesh inherited the partnership in the Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs, 1961. It also became a signatory to the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and the UN convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in 1988. It has signed and ratified the SAARC Convention on Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1990. Its parliament ratified all the UN Conventions to support, advance, and cooperate with international efforts to combat and control the drug menace. International day Against drug Abuse and its illicit Trafficking is celebrated on the 26 June each year through a variety of programmes. Bangladesh entered into a bialeteral agreement on technical assistance with the USA for drug abuse prevention and control and received various equipment for drug abuse prevention and control. It also receives facilities for domestic and overseas training, fellowships, and study tours from the DEA, INM, USIA of USA, JICA of Japan and from the Governments of UK and France. Training facilities were also provided from DAP of the Colombo Plan Bureau, the SAARC, the UNESCO, the ILO and the UNODC. On the other, Bangladesh hosted a good number of SAARC Workshop, seminar and symposium during the last few years.
As drug problem is not limited to a particular country or boundary, international cooperation is essential along with government efforts. Moreover, health personnel, public representatives, social workers, NGOs, religious leaders, school teachers, and individuals may work to prevent and raise awareness about the threat posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking. There is no way to compromise with the problem rather than prevention for a safer world. Working together, we shall achieve the goal.
(M.A.Jabbar is executive secretary of ADHUNIK, national anti-tobacco organization of Bangladesh.)
