TODAY is International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goal agreed upon by UN Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) selects a theme for the International Day each year and launches a year-long campaign to raise awareness about the global drug problem. The theme for 2005 is: "Value yourself ? make healthy choices". Of late we have been reading in our local papers about the growing number of drug abuse fatalities in youngsters, professionals and non-professionals alike. Unfortunately, many mixed messages are out there. On the one hand, you may see a commercial encouraging you to keep away from drugs of abuse. The next minute, you might be watching a movie where the character thinks drugs are cool.

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