Pubdate: Sun, 26 Jun 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING: 'VALUE
YOURSELF, MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES'

DRUG abuse is a global phenomenon. It affects almost every country,
although its extent and characteristics differ from region to region.
Drug abuse trends around the world, especially among youth, have
started to converge over the last few decades.

The United Nations has taken the necessary steps to assist countries
reduce the demand for and use of illegal drugs, help drug users break
the habit, and provide treatment through rehabilitation and social
reintegration. At the 1998 United Nations (UN) General Assembly
special session on the world drug problem, member states recognized
that reducing the demand for drugs was an essential pillar in the
global effort to fight drug abuse and trafficking. They committed to
reduce significantly both the supply of and demand for drugs by 2008,
as expressed in the Political Declaration on the Guiding Principles of
Drug Demand Reduction.

The 1998 Declaration came more than a decade after the General
Assembly in 1987 declared June 26 as International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This year, the worldwide observance
carries the theme "Value Yourself ... Make Healthy Choices." It calls on
youth to consider the health-related reasons why they should stay away
from drugs or stop using them, stressing that "healthy choices" is not
only about saying "no" to drugs but also about choosing healthy
lifestyles through sports, music, theater, community service, and
other positive activities. To promote healthy choices, the youth who
are most susceptible to drug use need guidance from parents, teachers,
and other role models.

In celebrating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking, the United Nations, other international organizations,
and local government and advocacy groups join together in working
towards providing healthy choices for the young so that they can
maintain the value that our Creator has bestowed on every individual.
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