PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly by resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, 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.
FORUM: “The evidence is clear: invest in prevention.” International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025. The global drug problem presents a multifaceted challenge that touches the lives of millions worldwide. From individuals struggling with substance use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime, the impact of drugs is far-reaching and complex. Central to addressing this challenge is the imperative to adopt a scientific evidence-based approach that prioritizes prevention and treatment. This year’s World Drug Day is calling for investment in prevention, including justice, education, health care and alternative livelihoods — the building blocks of sustainable resilience. This year's campaign "Break the cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime" highlights the need for coordinated long-term action to break the cycle of organized crime and drug trafficking - by addressing root causes, investing in prevention and building stronger health, education and social systems.
Over time, the regular or habitual use of drugs becomes a crutch and only adds to the stress. Drugs can also cause other harms, including:
Cocaine: Highly addictive, cocaine is involved in nearly one in five overdose deaths; its health effects include asthma, bowel decay, and increased risk of HIV.
Methamphetamine (Meth): Meth causes devastating health effects, and sometimes death, even on the first try. Meth speeds up the body’s systems to dangerous levels. Chronic users experience anxiety, confusion, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, and more.
Prescription and illicit opioids: Highly addictive, the substances are the top cause of overdose deaths; health effects include confusion, nausea, constipation, coma, and brain damage.
Marijuana: Even though it is legal in many states, studies link marijuana use to various negative outcomes.
Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InvestInPrevention, #StopOrganizedCrime, #26june, #PutPeoplefirst #WorldDrugDay, #DrugPrevention, #worlddrugreport.
EVENTS: On 26 June 2025, from 13:30 pm to 14:30 pm (ECT) in the conference room 9 at UNHQ; The UNODC will held the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Chair of the 68th session of the CND will hold a Special Event. The 2025 UNODC World Drug Report will be also launched during the special event. What are the latest global drug trends — and what impact have global conflicts and instability had on the world drug problem? Join us live for the launch of the World Drug Report 2025, UNODC’s flagship publication that highlights the scope of — and possible responses to — one of the most pressing global issues of our time. Featuring: Angela Me, Chief of the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, UNODC From synthetic drugs to organized crime, the World Drug Report 2025 reveals the realities behind the headlines — backed by data, grounded in research and focused on solutions. What does the report say about the current state of global drug markets?; How is data transforming our understanding of organized crime and drug trafficking? ; What are the key takeaways for policymakers, practitioners and the private sector? Whether you're in public policy, health, law enforcement, or advocacy — this is your opportunity to hear firsthand insights from the UN’s leading voice on drug trends. Join the commemoration and to launch the report. Watch the live-stream!
From 10 - 14 March 2025, The Sixty-eighth session of the CND was held in Vienna, Austria. The participants conclude with Six New Substances Controlled; Six Resolutions Adopted. Learn more on the 68th Session of the CND, the Subsidiary bodies of the CND, the List of Draft Resolutions, the CND Programme and watch the Photos highlights of #CND68.
PUBLICATION: The World Drug Report 2025 provides updates on international drug markets, policy changes across the world, and summarizes gathered data on ongoing issues caused by drugs on all fronts. This year’s report calls for communities around the world to break the cycle and #StopOrganizedCrime, stressing the intricacy and ever-expanding reach of organized crime networks on a global scale currently exacerbated by increased global instability. Among this year’s highlights, the World Drug Report finds a 28% increase in people who use drugs over the past 10 years, with marijuana the top used substance with 244 million users, followed by opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and ecstasy. The report also highlights a 13% increase in people suffering from drug use disorders over the past 10 years and the disproportionate imbalance among men and women with substance use disorders (SUD) who receive treatment. While 1 in 7 men with a substance use disorder receive treatment, only 1 in 18 women with SUD receive treatment. But the most sobering reality is that youth continue to show a steady rise in drug use over the past decade. Vulnerable populations are bearing the brunt of illegal exploits and are falling prey to the cycle of poverty and crime created by underfunded systems and increased criminal activity. Stimulant-related criminal activity is growing at an alarming rate. Between 2013-2023, global cocaine production rose 34%, global cocaine seizures rose 68%, and the number of people who use cocaine jumped from 17 million to 25 million. The steady expansion of cocaine use and rise in production continues to break records year after year. Additionally, the synthetic drug market led by methamphetamines and captagon continues to grow with drug and human trafficking feeding criminal networks that are constantly adapting to new intelligence and technological advances. The influence of this global drug crisis is reflected not only on the financial costs to communities, but on health systems, the environment, public safety, and above all, the loss of life. Now more than ever, prevention plays a vital role in breaking the harmful cycles created by substance use. While local organizations witness the impact of drugs firsthand in their communities, and governments work to address supply and demand on a global scale, civil society is uniquely positioned to listen, respond, and offer immediate support to local leaders and at-risk populations. By collaborating with organizations and building a network of support, we can empower individuals with evidence-based resources that strengthen protective factors, promote education, and foster long-term resilience. If you would like to read the full World Drug Report click here
A Prospective Study of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Illicit Drug Use in Adulthood. Previous research indicates that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk for illicit drug use. Yet, much of this research relies on retrospective ACE reports and does not consider the wide array of more proximal life experiences that may impact adults’ substance use. Read the full research paper!
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025 and the Statement from the UNODC Executive Director on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025; June 26th.
PODCASTS: Drug dependence treatment is an important strategy to improve well-being and social functioning of people with dependence and to reduce its health and social consequences. Treatment, care and rehabilitation of people with drug use disorder. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
Campaign materials: Perhaps you are a policy maker looking for materials on evidence- based prevention, or a parent worried by your teen's behaviour?. Experts have developed the United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking materials that inform and help identify effective ways to support youth to grow healthy and resilient. Get the campaign materials!
WHY WE OBSERVE THE DAY?
Drug use—including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, as well as prescription drug misuse and illicit opioids—among adults is on the rise. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased drug use. Different drugs pose different dangers. Drug use can lead to dependence and addiction, injury and accidents, health problems, sleep issues, and more. Drug use affects you and those close to you. Know there is help.
The pressures on adults are real. Building careers, buying homes, getting married, having kids, and trying to do it all well comes with a lot of pressure. COVID-19 has magnified the stress. Some turn to drugs to cope. Just because some drugs are legal, doesn’t mean they are less dangerous.
On World Drug Day, UNODC addresses existing and emerging transnational drug challenges stemming from situations of crisis.
The UNODC continues to advocate to protect the right to health for the most vulnerable, including children and youth, people using drugs, people with drug use disorders and people who need access to controlled medicines.
The Day will provide some facts and practical solutions to the current world drug problem, to attain a vision of health for all based on science.
During the Day, we promote activities that lead to enhanced communication, cooperation and scientific, cultural and social exchanges between NGOs, UN agencies and member states.
ACTIONS
Raise awareness about drug usage and illegal trafficking.
Speak about the negative impact and consequences of drugs on society.
Take urgent action to protect people
Strengthen drug use prevention and treatment
Tackle illicit drug supply.
share research findings, evidence-based data, and solutions, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity.
Advance scientific investigation on the etiology and prevention of social, physical and mental health, and academic problems
Advance science on drug use and addiction.
Establish and increase professionalism in the fields of substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Assist national and international policy makers and practitioners to apply prevention science to address substance use.
Bring people and knowledge together to reduce the harm of alcohol and other drugs on society.
Sustain efforts to prevent drug abuse among public officers. Youth are vulnerable to drug use, but they can also play a critical role to prevent substance use and promote health.
PARTNERSHIPS
The Day is organized by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs; The International Narcotics Control Board; The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) the Organization of American States (OAS), the African Union and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). With the collaboration of the Cooperation Programme between Latin America, Caribbean and the European Union on Drugs Policies (COPOLAD), The Athena Forum, the International Technology Transfer Center (ITTC), the European Drug Monitoring Centre (EMCDDA), the European Drug Prevention Quality Standards (EDPQS), the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), the Canadian Centre of Drug Abuse (CCSA), the Society for Prevention Research (SPR), the European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR) and Applied Prevention Science International (APSI), the Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) of the International Society of Substance use abuse (ISSUP), the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR), the Adfam, the Applied Prevention Science International (APSI), the Drug Free America Foundation, Inc. , the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM), the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC), and the Society for Prevention Research (SPR).