According to Events High, “the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nations initiative to raise awareness among the masses against drug abuse and illegal drug trade. It has been held annually since 1988 on June 26, a date chosen to commemorate Lin Zexu’s dismantling of the opium trade in Humen, Guangdong, just before the First Opium War in China. The observance was instituted by the General Assembly to observe 26 June as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.”
The chief objective of celebrating this day is to make an ‘addiction-free’ world. Not just drugs, but all other abusive materials (tobacco, alcohol, weed, cannabis, opium e.t.c.) come under this list. This year, the theme for this day was “Listen First”. It is an initiative to prevent the usage of drugs and make an effective investment for the well-being of children, youth, families, and communities. This theme highlights that “Listening to children and youth is the first step to support and help them, so that they grow safe and healthy”. For this occasion, the Narcotics Control Bureau arranged an inter-disciplinary seminar, workshop and discussion with different authorities.
After his inaugural speech, NCB arranged a slideshow revealing the different bad effects of narcotics. After the presentation, the ceremony was ended by India’s youngest health scientist, Dr Sinchan Das.
Dr Sinchan Das is a well-known crusader against addiction or the use of abusive materials. He is also known for his bold personality and unique ways of explaining. He said, “When people aren’t born with a free will, and are unable to live of their own volition, how can they have the authority to damage themselves?”
In my opinion, this is very true. We cannot perform anything in the absence of nature’s will. Otherwise, we just pamper ourselves into enjoying virtual happiness. Dr Das said, “Taking abusive materials is not a style or choice. Rather, one can say it is a disease and the failure of a person to cope up with their daily lives. And failure can’t be a style statement.” Individual choice does not give a person the leeway to damage themselves acutely or in a chronic manner. Individual freedom only gives us the chance to live in a healthy manner and perform something good for the environment.
Dr Das also demonstrated how our minutest habits and unnoticed self-pampered ‘disharmonies’ become more and more complicated by the day in a chronological manner. ‘The age for taking abusive materials’, ‘the age for becoming diseased’, ‘the psychological condition of the current generation’ – these are all byproducts of the habits of people from previous generations. Nothing is abrupt or short-lasting – every phenomenon leaves an impression and creates a template for the ‘status’ and ‘condition’ of future generations.
The purpose of this day is not just to spread awareness against abusive materials, but also to make people aware about the whimsical drug administration in many countries. Drugs are used to save lives in critical conditions, and they should not be used to meet business demands. A large number of diseases prevailing in the society are artificially-caused or due to drug-induced pathologies.
Compared to Dr Jayesh, Dr Das has a different view of the whole problem. He does not believe that awareness campaigns and government strategies can help tackle the issue of abusive materials and addiction. According to him, “The promotion of the harmful effects of abusive substances on the packets and via advertisements is nothing but an effort to portray these habits in a more lucrative manner. This compels humans to be more interested with that particular matter. So, instead of promoting these habits for cheap business interests, it is better to get rid of them altogether.”
Finally, he said, “Please remove stigmas about individual freedom and greediness. Try to maintain close relations with your child. Get rid of the bad habits in your life – and it will automatically have a positive effect in the life of your children. Say no to abusive substances, and ban them, to live a healthy life.”
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Featured image used for representative purposes only.