International Drug Day was observed world-wide including Pakistan with the theme 'Global Action for Healthy Communities Without Drugs'. Governments, different organisations and individuals in many countries including Pakistan have actively participated in promotional events and larger scale activities, such as public rallies and mass media involvement.
Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) has destroyed more than 60,000 kilo gram seized drug in a ceremony on Sunday in its commitment to the noble cause. Federal Minister for Narcotics Control Haji Khuda Bux Rajar was the chief guest on the occasion, while Director General ANF Syed Shakeel Hussain, other Senior officials of ANF, Liaison Officers of different embassies were also present on the occasion. The minister said that 'International Drug Day' gives us a message to join hands with each other against this social evil which is gradually destroying our youth. He said this day reminds us that it is our moral duty to endeavour to save our near and dear ones from the curse of narcotic drugs.
"On this occasion, we resolve that we will cooperate with each other in our fight against the course of Narcotic Drugs and create awareness among our masses against drugs," the minister said.
In December 1987 the UN General Assembly in view to create an international society free of drug abuse decided to observe June 26 as day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. In 1998 the UN General Assembly adopted a declaration to address the global drug problem and expresses UN members' commitment to fighting the problem.
According to the United Nations and Crime World Drug report 2011, nearly 200 million people are using illicit drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, hallucinogens, opiates and sedative hypnotics world-wide. It added that opiates such as heroin is the most damaging of the illegal drugs because heroin users receive more treatment for their problems than other drug users.