Doha, June 25 (QNA) - The world will observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, June 26, in accordance with a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 1987.

This day aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and its negative effects on individuals, families, and communities, as well as to strengthen prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts.

Drug abuse is a complex global challenge that affects the lives of millions around the world-ranging from individuals suffering from drug use disorders to communities grappling with the consequences of drug trafficking and organized crime.

In a message marking the occasion, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "The global illicit drug trade continues to exact a devastating toll: claiming lives, ravaging public health services, and fueling violence and organized crime,"

Guterres added: "Drug trafficking is tearing through communities with substances that are more potent, more dangerous, and more deadly than ever. Meanwhile, criminal networks prey on the most vulnerable -particularly women and youth - as they rake in hundreds of billions annually through the illicit drug trade.

"This year, we shine a light on prevention as the most essential strategy for halting the flow of drugs that fuels organized crime worldwide. We must reduce demand through investing in education, treatment, harm-reduction measures and care," he continued.

The way to go about doing this, according to the UN Secretary-General, is by targeting the machinery of production by eliminating illicit laboratories, severing trafficking networks by strengthening global trade routes, and choking the financial flows of criminal networks.

He called for breaking the cycle of suffering and destruction once and for all while always ensuring respect for human rights.

Also, to that end, the State of Qatar has adopted a comprehensive and integrated approach to combating drug abuse, in line with national legislation and relevant international conventions. Qatar has updated its laws and regulations related to this issue, formed national and sub-national committees to ensure coordination among concerned authorities, and developed a national strategy focused on prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration. It has also strengthened partnerships and cooperation with relevant regional and international organizations and implemented ongoing awareness programs targeting all segments of society through various media channels and educational, health, and religious institutions.

The country has also adopted a comprehensive health, psychological, and social policy to protect individuals from falling into addiction, through monitoring, analysis, evaluation, and developing effective operational plans to curb the spread of this phenomenon, provide early intervention in this regard.

As part of the State of Qatar's efforts in addressing this problem, it has established the Naufar Center for addiction treatment, one of the most prominent specialized centers in the Middle East, serving as an integrated model for providing treatment and rehabilitation services based on the latest global medical standards.

Naufar's mission aligns with the Qatar National Vision 2030, by offering comprehensive healthcare and psychological support, with the aim of preventing addiction, providing timely and appropriate treatment, supporting community and vocational rehabilitation, offering aftercare for those in recovery, and promoting research in the field of addiction and public health.

The center operates on a set of core values reflected in all its services: dignity, by respecting the individual regardless of their past; compassion, by delivering care with a human touch; trust, by building a safe relationship between the beneficiary and the professional; teamwork, by ensuring integrated roles within the therapeutic team; and excellence and leadership, by adhering to the highest standards of quality. Moreover, the patient is placed at the center of care, with treatments designed to suit individual needs, and hospitality is emphasized by providing a supportive and reassuring treatment environment.

Similarly, and as part of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) commitment to strengthening joint efforts against drug abuse, the GCC General Secretariat held special activities for the Gulf anti-drug week, held from June 22–26, which coincided with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This initiative reflected the GCC countries' dedication to unified action in combating drug abuse and raising awareness in Gulf societies, affirming that prevention is a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of all sectors.

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking remain a major global challenge, due to their devastating effects on public health, family stability, and the social fabric. This day serves as a call to all societies to intensify efforts toward drug-free communities by raising public awareness, promoting comprehensive health policies, empowering rehabilitation programs, and supporting and reintegrating recovering individuals.

The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an annual occasion that embodies the will of people to protect both the present and future from the dangers of drug abuse. It also serves as an opportunity to strengthen humanitarian values based on compassion, awareness, and community support.

The core message remains clear: recovery is possible, support makes a difference, and collaborative efforts between individuals and institutions are the best path to safeguarding communities and building a healthier, safer tomorrow. (QNA)