International Day against RPG. International Day Against Drug Addiction

June 26 is the International Day against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking.

On June 26, the world community celebrates a holiday of global significance - International Day against Drug Addiction and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

International Day Against Drug Abuse was established in 1987 by the UN General Assembly to express its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to create an international society free of drug abuse. The decision was taken on December 7, 1987, based on the recommendation of the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which adopted a comprehensive multidisciplinary action plan to combat drug abuse.

In 1998, a special session held by the UN General Assembly was dedicated to drug problems. As a result of this session, the goal was set to significantly reduce the worldwide drug problem by 2008. But, according to UN estimates, the global number of drug users is currently at least 185 million people (i.e. 3% of the total population of our planet, or about 12% of the population aged 15 to 30 years). Unfortunately, the demographic consequences of drug addiction are becoming more alarming every day. The proportion of minors and teenagers among drug users is increasing, and the number of women addicted to this terrible addiction is also increasing. Narcologists are very concerned about the problem of drug addiction, among their statements is that if 3-4 years ago the average age of young drug addicts was 16-17 years old, today this figure has dropped to 13-14 years. According to statistical indicators, over the past ten to twelve years the number of women using narcotic and psychotropic drugs has increased sevenfold.

Drug addiction is perhaps one of the most terrible phenomena of our time. Every day more and more people fall into the terrible networks of vice, trying to use it to hide from daily problems. The price to pay for such experiments on one’s own life is unlimited, and the results are sometimes irreversible. Even after undergoing a special course of treatment, a person cannot free himself from drug addiction. After many years, the newbie may have an unbearable urge to return to drugs. And what previously seemed like an easy escape from the daily routine of life turns into endless days of absolute emptiness and nightmare. A person's choice is his step, but choosing from two possible options "for" and "against" drugs is an unforgivable and harmful decision for anyone.

All over the world, people whose immediate concerns include the health of the nation are joining forces to once again remind humanity what a terrible disease drug addiction is. In Russia, July 1 will mark 4 years since the drug control authorities began their activities. The tasks of the Federal Service for Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances are both to detect crime and to fight to reduce drug addiction in society through large-scale preventive work. Under the motto “NO TO DRUGS!” There are numerous organized sports competitions and sports and recreational activities, meetings with schoolchildren and students, teachers and parents.

Unfortunately, nowadays drug addiction is a very profitable business that allows you to get rich from the misfortunes of others. The countries of the Near and Middle East and Asia are rightfully considered to be the places where drug trafficking is concentrated. Afghanistan is a global supplier of heroin. Latin American countries also occupy a significant share in the distribution of narcotic drugs.

According to indicators, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the growth of drug crime has increased significantly. According to official statistics from the Russian Federal Service for Control of Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, over the past ten years the number of drug addicts in Russia has increased ninefold. In 2006, about 390 thousand drug addicts were officially registered in Russia. About 4-5 million Russians regularly use drugs; Among them are teenagers and young people aged 11 to 24 years – up to 2 million people. It is noteworthy that 60% of drug users are the younger generation of Russians aged 18 to 30 years. Moreover, these data are just the tip of the iceberg - in reality there are many more drug addicts in Russia; some experts put the figure at more than 10 million people. Drug trafficking in Russia amounts to approximately $10 billion a year, and 25% of crimes are somehow related to drug addicts.

Of course, the rapid increase in the number of drug addicts is of particular concern to the world and Russian public. In this regard, on June 26, various events to prevent drug addiction and drug use among young people are being held in many Russian cities.

Drug addiction problems

In recent years, the use of narcotic and toxic substances by children and adolescents has become a real disaster for our country. The scale of the unfolding “drug addiction epidemic” is impressive even according to official statistics, which far from fully reflect the situation. According to the Russian Ministry of Health, about 70% of adolescents (both boys and girls) have tried drugs at least once. The number of minors registered in drug dispensaries with drug and substance abuse problems has increased tenfold. In some cities and in a number of educational institutions, drug abuse has become total.

To acquire drugs, many commit crimes; up to 70% of girls who are drug addicts engage in prostitution. Each drug user involves another 5-10 people. All of them are potential spreaders of infectious diseases, in particular viral hepatitis. Today, one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents is complications associated with drug use.

A significant increase in the number of people infected with HIV poses a real threat to society. In Russia, the transmission of HIV infection is associated primarily with infection that occurs when drug addicts share a syringe. Of all those infected in the country, about 80% are drug addicts who became infected while injecting drugs.

Drug addiction today

Drug addiction today is one of the main problems of the entire world community. However, in our country, mass drug addiction is a fairly new phenomenon. Until recently, mention of drugs could only be found in works of fiction describing the period of the civil war and post-war devastation, and in rare foreign films.

Now that the situation has changed dramatically, information about drugs, addiction to them and the consequences of this phenomenon should be ubiquitous. This is the only way to save many from terrible disaster.

Almost anyone can become a victim of drug addiction, but this is more true for young people. Addiction to drugs turns into a tragedy for the drug addicts themselves, grief for their parents and a host of serious problems for teachers and educators. These problems, despite their seriousness and even tragedy, are very delicate and require a careful, balanced approach.

Drug addiction is a total defeat of the individual, and in the vast majority of cases it is accompanied by complications from physical health. Many specialists involved in the treatment of drug addiction call it a “biopsycho-socio-spiritual” disorder. This means that a person taking drugs gradually loses self-esteem; destroys his best moral qualities; becomes mentally not quite normal; loses friends, then family; cannot acquire a profession or forgets the one he previously possessed; gets involved in a criminal environment; brings an abyss of misfortune to himself and those around him and, finally, slowly and surely destroys his body.

Another feature of drug addiction is that, as a pathological condition, it is to a certain extent irreversible, and some of the negative changes that occur in the body remain forever. If a person who has long given up heroin decides to “get high” again, he will inevitably have to go through all the circles of drug addiction hell again. Therefore, doctors try not to talk about “recovered drug addicts”, but prefer the term “inactive drug addicts” (that is, those who are not using drugs at the moment, and the “moment” can be long, even life-long).

On the other hand, the consequences of drug addiction in the human psyche can be compensated, although it is very difficult. However, for most drug addicts it remains a lifelong diagnosis.

Drug addicts (often also their relatives) realize too late that this is not just “indulgence”, but a real addiction. Sometimes addiction develops after six months or even a year, more often after 2-3 months, but often a person becomes addicted after the first injection of heroin. What will happen to this or that particular individual is never known in advance.

International Day against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking contributes to the introduction into the public masses of a serious problem of our time - the problem of drug addiction. Every person anywhere in the world should be concerned about the solution to this issue. Only through joint efforts can we count on positive results in solving the global problem of our time - drug addiction.

Return to Holidays calendar

June 26 is a holiday of global significance. This is the International Day against Drug Addiction and Illicit Drug Trafficking. It was established in 1987 as an expression of the determination of the UN General Assembly to strengthen its activities and create a world society free of drug abuse. The basis for this decision was the recommendations of the International Conference on Combating Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which adopted an extensive action plan to combat drug addiction.

In 1998, a special session of the UN General Assembly was held, which set the goal of significantly reducing such a harmful phenomenon in the world as drug addiction by 2008. But the UN has released figures showing that more than 185 million people currently use drugs around the world. This represents 3% of all humanity and 12% of people aged 15 to 30 years. Every day the consequences of drug addiction are becoming more and more threatening in demographic terms. Minors and teenagers are becoming addicted to drugs, and the number of women using drugs is increasing.

Narcologists are especially concerned about this problem, since they have data that 3 years ago the average age of drug addicts was 16-17 years old, and now it has dropped to 13-14 years old. Over the past decade, the number of women taking narcotic and psychotropic drugs has increased sevenfold!

Without exaggeration, drug addiction can be called the most terrible phenomenon of our century. Every day more and more people are falling into its insidious network, trying to escape from problems and stress. But the price of such an “escape” turns out to be too high, and the results of the self-experiment for the most part turn out to be irreversible. Even a special course of treatment for drug addiction is not always able to free a person from this addiction. After several years without drugs, a former drug addict often relapses. And those sensations that seemed like salvation from real problems and failures become an endless nightmare and absolute emptiness. Therefore, initially choosing drugs as a means of escaping life’s problems is an unforgivable and disastrous decision for every person.

People all over the world who care about the health of their nation will unite in the fight against such a terrible phenomenon as drug addiction. That is why World Drug Abuse Day was established, reminding all humanity of this terrible disease.

The fight against drug addiction in Russia

In our country, drug control authorities have been operating for four years. The tasks of the Federal Service for Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances include identifying crimes and taking measures to combat drug addiction, and preventive work to reduce drug addiction in society. In Russia, under the slogans “NO to drugs!” There are numerous sports and recreational events, meetings with students, schoolchildren, teachers and parents.

Unfortunately, drug addiction in our time is an incredibly profitable business. Numerous drug dealers do not disdain the opportunity to profit from someone else’s misfortune. It is known that the drug trade is concentrated in Asia, the countries of the Near and Middle East, and Latin America. Afghanistan is a global heroin supplier.

After the collapse of the USSR, the level of drug crime in Russia and neighboring countries increased significantly. According to data from the Russian Federal Service for Control of Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, the number of drug addicts in Russia has increased 9-fold over the past decade. 4-5 million Russians use drugs every day, of which about 2 million are children and youth aged 11-24 years. These are only official data; in fact, the number of drug addicts in the country is much higher. According to some experts in this field, there are 10 million drug addicts in Russia. 25% of all crimes in the country are, in one way or another, related to drug addiction.

Of course, the rapid spread of drug addiction is causing public concern around the world. Therefore, on the day of the fight against drug addiction, in many cities of our country various preventive actions are carried out against the spread and use of drugs among young people.

Drug addiction is the main problem of modern society

The world community considers drug addiction to be the most serious problem of our time. But in Russia this phenomenon is relatively new. More recently, reminders of such means as drugs were found only in books about civil war and post-war devastation, or in some foreign films.

Currently, the situation, unfortunately, has worsened much, and methods of combating drug addiction must necessarily include widespread dissemination of information about drugs, the occurrence of painful dependence on drugs and the consequences of their use. This is the only way to protect the younger generation from this disaster.

It is young people who become victims of drug addiction to a greater extent. Drug addiction turns into a tragedy for the young man himself, and for his family and teachers. But despite its seriousness, this problem is very delicate, and therefore requires a balanced approach.

Drug addiction leads to total personality damage and serious complications of physical health. Many experts in the field refer to drug addiction as a “biopsycho-socio-spiritual” disorder. That is, a drug addict gradually loses self-respect, loses his moral qualities and mental balance. Due to an abnormal psyche, he cannot communicate with family and friends, is unable to find a profession, and even loses the skills in the business that he had before his illness. Having become involved in a criminal environment, he brings nothing but misfortune to the people around him, and slowly but inevitably destroys his life.

Another dangerous feature of drug addiction is the irreversibility of this pathological condition. That is, some of the changes that the body has undergone due to the effects of drugs remain forever. If a drug addict who has managed to live without heroin for a long time decides to experience the “high” once, then he will have to go through the entire circle of drug hell. It is for this reason that doctors usually do not use the phrase “recovered drug addicts”; they say “inactive drug addicts” - that is, those who are not currently using drugs. It’s good if this “moment” lasts a lifetime. Unfortunately, for most drug addicts, mental disorders remain a lifelong diagnosis, although the consequences of drug addiction in the human psyche are compensated to some extent.

International Day Against Drug Abuse promotes a massive solution to such a serious problem of our time as drug addiction. This question should not leave any person on Earth indifferent. Only through joint efforts can we achieve positive results in solving the global problem of our day - drug addiction.

Probably, today everyone knows what drug addiction is and what its extent is. Many people treat such people with contempt and condemnation, but you should know that once falling into this trap, a person is no longer able to control himself - his personality is destroyed, and his physical health is also affected. Drug addiction has destroyed many families, but the sad thing is that the number of drug addicts is growing every year, and today this problem even affects children. According to UN estimates, there are at least 185 million people around the world today who use drugs, and the average age of this group of people, unfortunately, is decreasing every year.

This disaster has a much larger scale than we might think, because drug addiction is not only a tragedy for an individual or a family. This is also one of the reasons for the demographic crisis, the birth of sick children, the decline in the overall health of the nation, as well as the increasing crime rate throughout the world.

When is World Drug Addiction Day celebrated?

To draw public attention to this global problem throughout the world, in 1987, at the 42nd session, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring that the International Day Against Drug Addiction should be celebrated annually on June 26th.

Today, healthcare organizations are developing special programs to control the spread of drugs. A number of large-scale projects have been launched aimed at informing children and adolescents about drug addiction, as well as preventing and suppressing drug use.

Events for Anti-Drug Addiction Day

Activities dedicated to this day are to inform the population, especially teenagers and children, about the dangers of this type of entertainment and the serious consequences that they carry. In schools and other educational institutions, thematic classes and conversations are held with medical workers who can convey the scale of the danger of drug addiction, as well as the fact that drug addicts are seriously ill and primarily need help.

Also in different cities of the world, concert programs and events are held under the slogans “Choose Life”, “Drugs: Don’t Get Involved, They Will Kill!”, “Drug is a Killer”, photo exhibitions are organized demonstrating the terrifying scale of drug addiction in the modern world.

This year, for the 30th time, the whole world will celebrate the International Day against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking. We decided to figure out what changes have occurred during this time and find out why this memorable day has two dates. We will also look at the experience of one country that managed to overcome drug addiction.

Best video:

June 26 is celebrated as Anti-Drug Day in all countries.

By 1987 it was already known about various types narcotic substances that have managed to claim or cripple the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The UN decided that the actions of the authorities at the local level of each state are not enough to overcome the drug mafia and decided to celebrate the day on which the whole world will talk about drugs loudly and without hesitation.

This is how the date June 26 appeared; this International Day has its own crown every year. For example, in 2003 it sounded simply: “Let's talk about drugs,” in 2010 - “Yes to health, no to drugs.”

The UN prepares reports on drugs every year. In the so-called report, the head of UNODC talks about the level of drug use, trends in the world, as well as how accessible treatment is for drug addicts and HIV-infected people.

Unfortunately, according to statistics, the dynamics of the spread of narcotic substances remains virtually unchanged. It seems, the world is losing the war on drugs, since almost nothing has changed in 30 years. Every year new types of drugs appear, drug dealers manage to find new ways to hook more and more people, including teenagers and children.

Where did the second date March 1st come from?

Surprisingly, on the Internet, different sources interpret the same information differently. The well-known encyclopedia says that the correct day to combat drugs is June 26, which was determined by the UN General Assembly on December 7, 1987.

How then did another date for celebrating International Day appear? We assume that this date is celebrated in schools all over the world. Activities for the International Day Against Drug Abuse, role-playing scenarios and cool hours only possible during school hours.

The country that managed to win the war on drugs

16 years ago, this European country had the largest number of HIV-infected drug addicts. Almost 1% of the population was addicted to heroin, and this country had the highest AIDS mortality rate in the EU.

After the coup in the mid-70s, drugs poured here from all over the world, drug traffickers supplied cocaine from Africa, heroin entered the country from the Middle East, and hashish from Afghanistan. Such abundance simply blew the minds of the population, which had lived for a long time in a strict autocracy, and freedom meant drug use.

We are talking about a country called Portugal. For two decades, the authorities fought drug addiction traditionally - with the use of force, but in 2001 a revolutionary decision was made. Portuguese Decriminalized the possession of absolutely all types of drugs. They began to fight the disease itself, not people.

According to new laws and programs, instead of imprisonment, those who were caught in possession of psychotropic substances paid a fine and were sent to a “commission.” Decriminalization differs from legalization in that pharmacies and shopping centers no longer sell ecstasy and LSD as candy to children.

As a result of the administrative process, a drug addict could receive a fine of up to 150 euros, he could be prohibited from holding high positions, attending nightclubs, traveling abroad and carrying weapons.
The main task of the commission, which includes 3 people - a lawyer, a social worker and a psychologist, is not to punish a person for possession, but to try to cure him of drug addiction.

Centers to help drug addicts began to open throughout Portugal, where they were detoxified and helped to rehabilitate.

All these measures led to a rapid drop in all indicators for drug addiction and HIV. In 2001, 80 deaths from drugs were recorded, in 2012 only 16, HIV cases in 2001 - 1000 people, after 11 years only 56.

Portugal is at odds with the whole world and on International Anti-Drug Day, we should all be talking about this country and its methods. Governments of other countries should take an example from the Portuguese and start treating people, not jailing them for their habits.

If the article “June 26 – International Day against Drug Addiction and Drug Trafficking” was useful to you, do not hesitate to share the link. You may save someone's life with this simple solution.

June 26 around the world is World Day against Drug Addiction and Drug Trafficking. What is the situation in Russia, and what measures are being taken to combat this social disease in Russia?

Polina Skryabina / “Health info”

It all started in 1987 with a UN initiative: drug addiction and drug trafficking were recognized as global problems, which it was decided to fight with the efforts of all countries. Since then, every year on June 26, World Drug Abuse Day, all countries unite to once again draw public attention to the problems of drug addiction.

Where did drug addiction come from?

“The problems of drug addiction are the consequences of the Second World War,” concludes almost philosophically Evgeniy Brun, chief specialist in narcology at the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development. – And the problem of drug addiction and alcoholism reached its peak in the 1950s and 60s, and since then, despite all the efforts of the UN, drug addiction has been winning.

According to expert estimates, today in Russia there are up to 2 million drug addicts, about 5 million use drugs from time to time. Moreover, 90% of drug addicts in our country are heroin addicts. No other country has such frightening statistics, and Russia is rightfully considered a heroin leader. It’s scary to imagine what would have happened if our law enforcement agencies had not stopped 40% of the drug flow into the country?

What caused such a sharp jump in both alcoholism and drug addiction in the society of the 50s? Is it only the severe consequences of war on the people's psyche? According to Evgeniy Bryun, drug addiction has another reason. This is a consumer society, a cult of the body, receiving pleasure and acquiring various kinds of addictions, including alcohol and drugs.

Based on this, the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation and the Russian Narcological League see their main goal in the fight against drug addiction as reducing the demand for drugs. But how difficult it is to achieve this goal! What measures are proposed to be introduced to overcome drug addiction in Russia?

Warn to win

First, prevention. Drug addiction is the same morbid gluttony, a kind of bulimia. And, as you know, the best treatment for a disease, even a public one, is prevention. And the first weapon for preventing drug addiction is changing society’s attitude towards it. Unfortunately, drug addicts, like alcoholics, are feared and hated. Any employer, upon learning that his employee is a drug addict, acts irresponsibly and rushes to get rid of him. That is why the Ministry of Health and Social Development is developing a bill that will oblige employers to test their employees for drugs, and if an employee becomes drug addicted, then not to fire him, but to treat him.

Another powerful prevention tool is public awareness. There is no need to be afraid to give real numbers. This will force parents to warn their children from harm. So, for example, few parents know that the lower age limit for drug addiction in Russia has dropped, and is now 11-12 years old. And the average age of addiction to drugs occurs at 15-17 years.

What makes children at this age take drugs? According to a survey conducted by the Institute of Demography of the State Educational Institution Higher School of Economics, for 60% of adolescent drug addicts the cause of addiction is a situation “with nowhere to go,” helplessness, misunderstanding and indifference on the part of loved ones. Considering the fact that teenagers are at risk, moralizing alone is not enough. Complete prohibitions and accusations of sinfulness will only alienate them and lower their self-esteem. Intimidation can play the same trick. Therefore, the best option is objective information, facts about the consequences of taking drugs. Both social advertising and mass media popular among young people, as well as social networks, are effective.

Unfortunately, social advertising in general, and anti-drug advertising in particular, is practically undeveloped. While television and the Internet are actually the habitat of teenagers. Meanwhile, until recently, FSKN employees simply did not even know that by going to their social network page, anyone can “order” almost any drug and just as easily receive it. And, as a rule, users of these sites “indulge” in narcotic mixtures, and they, according to doctors, are sometimes more dangerous than “hard” drugs. After smoking such a mixture, a person can partially lose his memory, develop a mental disorder, and even commit suicide.

The test won't lie

Every day 80 people die from drugs in Russia, and the army of drug addicts is not decreasing - every year more than 250 people become drug addicts. Is it possible to cure our society of drug addiction? The authorities are sure that yes. Thus, in addition to prevention and anti-drug propaganda, it is planned to introduce mandatory testing of students in order to early identify drug users.

“Sooner or later, this system will take root in Russia, since its effectiveness is beyond doubt,” says Evgeny Brun, president of the Russian Narcological League.

Such testing has already been carried out in several universities. As a result, 15% of students were identified as using drugs. A year later, during which anonymous treatment of drug addicts was carried out, the same testing showed that out of 15% only 2% remained. However, not all schools and universities will meet this halfway: not a single director would wish for his school to advertise true statistics, and not a single director would wish for his university. not a single rector. Therefore, in the future, the consent of management will not be required: testing will be enshrined in new legislative norms.

Treat don't ask

As you know, drug addiction goes hand in hand with criminal offenses, and the most common among them is theft. That's why a bill is being drafted that will allow criminal drug addicts to choose treatment instead of going to prison. But the problem is that most drug addicts refuse medical help. What to do? If you don’t want to, we’ll force you... and send you to a labor treatment center. The Ministry of Health and Social Development sees this as a way out of a difficult situation and relies both on the experience of the USSR with its labor camps, and on the experience of its Western colleagues.

Thus, in many European countries, for example, in France, there are so-called drug courts. If a drug addict commits a criminal offense, he can choose: either go to jail or undergo voluntary-compulsory treatment. If our country follows this path, then, according to Evgeniy Bryun, there will be real “social pressure” on drug addiction and all the accompanying problems: the incidence of AIDS (and approximately 70% of HIV-infected people are drug addicts), drug-related crime, cases of suicide.

Desomorphine is coming

The real scourge of our country is heroin addiction - a rather expensive “pleasure”. And drug addicts resort to cheaper drugs, such as desomorphine. But if heroin addicts live on average up to 5 years or longer, then desomorphine addicts live a maximum of 2 years! And if you consider that 5-6 doses cost a drug addict only 200 rubles, it is not surprising that over the past 10 years the number of desomorphine drug addicts has increased 50 times. And while this opioid drug is absolutely accessible: everyone can buy its components at the pharmacy, including codeine-containing drugs.

However, there is no rush to adopt the law prohibiting the dispensing of such drugs without a doctor’s prescription. The Ministry of Health and Social Development decided to take a time out, soberly assessing the situation: Russian clinics are less than 50% staffed. This means that huge queues at clinics cannot be avoided. The law is now expected to come into force in June 2012.

Correct substitution

As you know, the United States was the first to use substitution therapy to treat drug addicts. Since the 1960s, the state has “caringly” allocated 33 cents a day for methadone, an opiate substitute for heroin, for heroin addicts. If a heroin addict or his relatives have money, then he is sent for treatment to a special rehabilitation center, where drug addiction is treated and not suppressed by opiates.

Evgeniy Brun, chief narcologist of the Ministry of Health and Social Development, is also against methadone replacement therapy. In his opinion, this is only an avoidance of the problem, and not a solution to it. Therefore, Russia does not plan to adopt the experience of the West. However, he is in no hurry to abandon replacement therapy. Therefore, the chosen course is replacement therapy with opiate antagonists coupled with rehabilitation of patients under the supervision of doctors. And, of course, no fight against drugs is possible without international cooperation, including with the source countries of the main drug flows: Afghanistan, Iran. Only by uniting all countries against drug addiction and forming a responsible society can the problem be overcome.

Today, drug use is a universally recognized evil. Many countries are suffering from a real epidemic. On December 7, 1987, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution No. 42/112, in which it decided to observe June 26 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 creating an international society free from drug abuse. drug addiction.

In April 2016, the UN General Assembly held a Special Session on the drug problem in the world. This Special Session was an important milestone in achieving the goal set out in the policy document “Political Declaration and Plan of Action for International Cooperation towards a Comprehensive and Balanced Strategy to Combat the World Drug Problem.”

The outcome document presents recommended measures to reduce supply and demand and increase access to controlled medicines, which will prevent their misuse. The recommendations also cover the areas of human rights; children, youth, women and communities; new problems, including new psychoactive substances; strengthening international cooperation and sustainable development. The document places particular emphasis on proportionate national sentencing policies and practices in drug-related offences, and highlights the role of prevention and treatment.

In 2018, the International Day Against Drug Abuse will be held under the motto “Let us build our lives – our society – our individuals without drugs.”

Today, drug addiction has affected all countries of the world. According to the most approximate estimates of experts, from 3 to 4 percent of the world's inhabitants use drugs.

For Russia, the problem of drug addiction is a global threat to the health of the country's population. In Russia, over 560 thousand drug addicts are registered in drug treatment clinics. The total number of Russians who occasionally use drugs and psychotropic substances exceeds 8.5 million people, one and a half million of whom use heroin. More than 100 thousand Russians die from overdose every year. Any of the drugs destroys health, the addict “burns out” in 4-5 years. Dependence sometimes occurs after one or two doses.

The problem of drug addiction is one of the most pressing for both healthcare and society as a whole. This is due to the severe medical and social consequences of substance abuse, among which characteristic personality changes are in the first place. Negative medical consequences include: the presence of a number of somatic diseases in patients, the spread of HIV infection, viral hepatitis B and C, and premature mortality. A third of HIV-infected people received their virus from a syringe containing drugs.

The negative social consequences of drug addiction include: low percentage of employment, high frequency of criminal behavior and criminal records, disruption of family ties.

For Moscow region The problem of drug addiction is very acute. The average relative indicator of the general incidence of drug addiction in the Moscow region in 2017 decreased and amounted to 228.9 per 100 thousand population (in 2016 - 234.1 per 100 thousand population). In 2015, this figure reached its peak - 236.9 per 100 thousand population.

In 2017, the average relative rate of primary incidence of drug addiction decreased to 12.0 per 100 thousand population (in 2016 – 13.7 per 100 thousand population). In 2015, this figure reached its peak - 18.4 per 100 thousand population.

The average relative indicator of the overall incidence of substance abuse has been decreasing in recent years, reaching 7.0 per 100 thousand population (in 2016 - 7.8 per 100 thousand population versus 8.2 in 2015).

Leaders in the prevalence of drug addiction, whose indicators significantly exceed the regional average are the following municipalities: Orekhovo-Zuevo (591.2), Serpukhov (502.3), Noginsk (367.5), Serebryanye Prudy (366.8), Podolsk (331.4), Pavlovsky Posad (314.5), Shchelkovo (252.0).

Essentially indicators below the regional average in municipalities: Lotoshino (30.2), Stupino (74.2), Shakhovskaya (89.4), Bronnitsy (107.2), Volokolamsk (111.8), Solnechnogorsk (117.9).

In recent years, drugs have become “younger”. Cases of children aged 10-13 years becoming addicted to narcotic and toxic substances have become more frequent. The main drug users are young people under 30 years of age.

The goal of preventive anti-drug work should be to reduce the demand for drugs, primarily among young people. It is recommended to focus on information propaganda - talk more about the dangers of drugs and early detection, that is, testing. The main target of preventive work should be children under 12-14 years of age, and preventive work should be carried out both by teachers together with medical workers at school, and always by parents in the family.

According to Professor L.M. Roshal, “Drug addiction is a huge business that affects people and, above all, children. Family daily drug addiction prevention is necessary. Parents need to be clear about what kind of work to do with their children so that they can resist the temptation of the first puff. Our task is to counter the spread of drug addiction at all levels – from the family to the state.”

The main goal of prevention is to develop among the population and, especially among young people, an active life position of rejection of drug use for non-medical purposes. It is necessary to strive to curb the involvement of children and youth in drugs through the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, the formation of anti-drug attitudes, and involvement in sports. Anti-smoking and anti-alcohol propaganda should be part of anti-drug propaganda, since drugs often follow smoking and alcohol consumption.

In order to increase awareness of the population, especially young people, about the harmful effects of drugs on the body, attracting the attention of government agencies and the public to the problem of drug addiction, the Moscow Regional Center for Medical Prevention (Branch for Medical Prevention of the State Autonomous Institution of Medical Sciences KTSVMiR) recommends organizing the following information and educational events in the municipalities of the Moscow region Events dedicated to International Day Against Drug Abuse:

• widely inform the population about the International Day against Drug Abuse, including through the media;
• organize and conduct thematic seminars and conferences for doctors and paramedical workers;
• organize speeches by experts on the problem of drug addiction on radio and television;
• publish articles in the local press, highlight the topics of the International Day against Drug Abuse on Internet sites;
• use visual propaganda means, issue thematic information stands and sanitary bulletins in medical organizations;
• together with the sports committee, organize sports competitions under the motto “Sports against drugs”;
• organize mass events (health exercises, flash mobs, dance warm-ups) with the involvement of young people, incl. participants of public volunteer organizations whose activities are aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, as well as in interaction with representatives of education, social protection, sports and youth policy, culture, and media persons;
• distribute thematic leaflets, leaflets, booklets.

Please submit a report on the activities carried out to the Moscow Regional Center for Medical Prevention (Branch for Medical Prevention of GAUZMO KTSVMiR) by email [email protected] by August 10, 2018.

“Let's talk about drug addiction”, “drugs are not child's play”, “yes to health, no to drugs”, “drugs are harmful” - these are the slogans with which Russia and the entire world community greet June 26 every year.

A progressive disease caused by drug use mercilessly cripples the fate of addicted people. In search of new sensations, oblivion of mental suffering, the “poor fellows” fall into vicious networks. According to statistics covering the world, approximately 185 million people use drugs. Most of them are between 15 and 30 years old. The rate of female drug addiction is growing rapidly.

Story

The origin of the idea to celebrate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is considered to be 1987. Awareness of the growing global problem of drug addiction has prompted the world community to resort to decisive action. It was on June 26 at the International Conference that the first anti-drug plan for the strategic fight against drug addiction was approved. At the same time, representatives of the conference decided and recommended to the UN General Assembly to establish an annual celebration of this day, as a reminder of clearly defined goals: to create an international drug-free society. December 7, 1987 - the decision was made.

End of winter. 1909 Another world event. The Shanghai Opium Commission and representatives from 13 other countries, including Russia, met to find a way to contain the supply of drugs from Asian countries. A subsequent session, meeting in 1998, also focused on the fight against drugs.

To date, prolonged restrictive measures that have lasted more than a century have not changed the situation. The problem of “drug addicts” remains global, and is also growing. Drug traffickers do not want to give up their profitable business and are finding new ways to sell drugs. The ban on some drugs gives rise to the birth, demand and distribution of others.

Traditions

Every year, June 26th is a reason to unite again to say “NO” to drugs. All over the world, mass actions are taking place with the distribution of leaflets, T-shirts and other paraphernalia with propaganda inscriptions. Through lectures, thematic social surveys, and sports competitions, the organizers are trying to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Law enforcement agencies who conduct conversations with schoolchildren do not stand aside. Stars take part in charity concerts. Interested youth spread information about the dangers of drugs through social networks. Programs on relevant topics are broadcast on television channels and radio. Information articles are published in newspapers.

In Russia, annual plans for preventive measures are created, records are kept, round tables are held, millions are allocated for the rehabilitation and return of drug addicts to society.