Date: Friday. 9-August-2024
Author : Opendi Charles
Photo Credit. Daily Excelsior
Summary
As COVID-19 is gradually fading off many minds and budget priorities, the global spotlight has shifted to very devastating humanitarian crisis that is not loudly sang on stage yet like cancers has ravaged the human race across gender, age and social status. Drug abuse, miss use and illicit trafficking has for decades unlike COVID-19 and other health challenges persisted through history as a humanitarian crisis, leading to the deteriorating health and untimely deaths of millions around the world. Beyond reducing the security of global health, drug abuse and illicit trafficking cripple economies and the economic power of users, in addition to exposing vulnerable populations to even greater risks. This article first authored by Dr Abhishek Chowhan in the Daily Excelsior brings forth the health challenges of this vice and the role it plays in the Humanitarian crisis even as reported in the international Day against Drug Abuse.
The question is, what has been done about it since its surge during and after COVID-19 pandemic and what can be done to save these millions.
Background
Last few years has been particularly troublesome for the world. COVID-19 pandemic bought the world to standstill with the priority of the world as a whole changing to survival mode. In addition to the immediate health impact of COVID infection, the pandemic shook the world economically and socially and will continue to do so in foreseeable future. The economic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic are devastating: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, while the number of undernourished people, currently estimated at nearly 690 million, could increase by up to 132 million by the end of the year. Millions of enterprises face an existential threat. Nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods. If the pandemic was not enough the Ukraine-Russia war and the impending economic recession has added to the woes. In short, we are going through a humanitarian crisis. From warzones to refugee camps to communities torn apart by violence, people in all parts of the world are in dire need. A pandemic, a climate crisis, a food crisis, an energy crisis, and supply chain disruptions have increased suffering and taken us to the brink of global recession.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
As the world eagerly awaits a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermaths, a solution to another global health crisis is still being sought after decades. Drug abuse and illicit trafficking have persisted through history as a humanitarian crisis, leading to the deteriorating health and untimely deaths of millions around the world. Beyond reducing the security of global health, drug abuse and illicit trafficking cripple economies and the economic power of users, in addition to exposing vulnerable populations to even greater risks. The 2020 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) World Drug Report notes the use of illicit drugs has increased by 30% since 2009. Likewise, the production and trafficking of illicit drugs, such as heroin and synthetic drugs, are at record highs.By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. This year’s theme “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises” has been aptly chosen to address the drug abuse issues in current scenario. Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.
Full PDF.
References
1. Daily Excelsior. Drug Abuse issues in health and humanitarian crisis. Published Dr Abhishek Chowhan on June 26, 2022.
2. Indiana University. Understanding the disease of addiction.
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