On June 26th 2020, ISSUP commemorated International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2020. The theme this year is “Better Knowledge for Better Care” emphasizing the need to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and how in turn, better knowledge will foster greater international cooperation for countering its impact on health, governance and security.
ISSUP supports this vision and advocates for the substance use prevention and treatment field to be revolutionised as a field of activity through the promotion of evidence-based, ethical, best practice and quality standards worldwide.
The significance of this day has never been greater with drug use around the world on the rise and millions of people suffering from drug use disorders. The World Drug Report 2020 released by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has highlighted a trend of rising drug use globally. The report revealed that around 269 million people used drugs worldwide in 2018 - 30 per cent higher than in 2009, while over 35 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders.
We are marking this observance with two online presentations by Thom Browne Jr. (MA Criminal Justice, CEO Colombo Plan) on The Rapidly Changing Composition of the World's Drug Supply and Its Effects on High-Risk for COVID-19.
