Text: U.N. Drug Agency Marks Anti-Drug Abuse Day June 26

22 June 2001

Text: U.N. Drug Agency Marks Anti-Drug Abuse Day June 26

"Sports Against Drugs" is theme

The United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (ODCCP) is planning a variety of events to observe International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking June 26.

"Sports Against Drugs" is the theme for the 2001 activities, according to a press release from the U.N. drug agency. The ODCCP statement also provides an overview of activities countries have organized to develop sport as a positive, anti-drug influence in the lives of young people.

June 26 is the anniversary of the signing in 1987 of the U.N. Convention Against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Trade and Psychotropic Substances.

A message from U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan is available in English and French at http://www.undcp.org/event_2001-06-26_1.html. At the same URL, also see English and Spanish versions of a message from ODCCP Executive Director Pino Arlacchi.

Following is the text of the ODCCP press release:

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U.N. OFFICE OF DRUG CONTROL AND CRIME PREVENTION

"SPORTS NOT DRUGS"

International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking is celebrated on 26 June. It commemorates the signature of the Declaration adopted at the International Conference against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26 June, 1987. Every year a theme for the day is established and thousands of people around the world are mobilized through the UNDCP field office network to celebrate the day.

This year's theme is "Sports against Drugs". UNDCP Headquarters in Vienna is organizing a day of fun and sports for 300 Viennese and international school children on 26 June at the Vienna International School. Young people will participate in basketball and soccer clinics and "test your skills" competitions. Skateboarding and scooter shows and a Tae kwon do presentation are also planned. The children will have the opportunity to learn about drug abuse awareness and prevention through informational materials promoting a healthy drug-free life.

Afghanistan

The Drug Demand Reduction Support project in Afghanistan is sponsoring the following activities for 26 June in Jalalabad, Kabul and Qandahar:

An organized knock-out football competition for youth; An embroidery competition for women, where participants will be given cloth, thread and other resources to develop embroidered anti-drug messages; and Anti-drug leaflets will be prepared and distributed.

Bolivia

As part of 26 June activities, a project on "preventive education and health promotion in schools" in Bolivia will include debates on the reasons for drug abuse, with the participation of many primary and secondary schools, alternative education institutes and advanced institutes for schoolteachers.

The "protection of children and young people's rights and drug abuse prevention" project will introduce a national campaign in coordination with the Viceministry of Gender Generational and Family Affairs. The project will promote the practice of sports and assert the rights of young people to use public places and to receive municipal support for health-related activities.

Many other activities will take place throughout Bolivia to celebrate 26 June, including:

a sports festival in the city of Cochabamba; a round-table discussion on anti-doping in La Paz; and a sports and cultural festival in El Alto, with the participation of former UN Goodwill Ambassadors who have made outstanding contributions to sports in Bolivia.

Colombia

In Bogota, UNDCP will sponsor a one-day sporting event for young people. Planned activities include soccer, basketball and volleyball matches. A cheerleading festival and an aerobics marathon will also take place, as well as music and dance shows. Informational materials on drug abuse prevention will be widely distributed.

In Medellin, UNDCP will sponsor a national seminar on amphetamine-type stimulants held at the National Narcotics Office. Further activities are planned in other Colombian and Ecuadorian cities under the slogan "Sports against Drugs".

Egypt

In Egypt, UNDCP is creating a drug abuse prevention web site targeting youth as part of it 26 June activities. A special link on the web site is dedicated to various activities in the region pertaining to celebrations for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Kenya

To celebrate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the UNDCP Regional Office for Eastern Africa will launch several activities in Nairobi. The highlight of the events will be the Youth Forum, taking place at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on 26 June. Participants will include key government and NGO officials, youth leaders, demand reduction experts and facilitators.

The purpose of the Youth Forum is to:

Provide an opportunity for Kenyan youth to discuss issues of drug abuse and related problems in their schools and communities; Bring together in-school and out-of-school children to make their voices heard by political and civic leaders on issues of drug abuse, which affect their individual achievement and development; and Adopt resolutions/recommendations, which will be presented to government and civil society representatives. Ideas on how to formulate appropriate strategies and drug abuse prevention programmes will also be discussed.

In addition, NGOs involved in awareness-raising about drug abuse prevention, treatment and rehabilitation institutions will organize a SPORTS, NOT DRUGS weekend on 23 and 24 June in Nairobi, as well as a series of activities at the community level. Schools and universities will undertake activities aimed at informing and educating the public on issues of drug abuse and related problems.

Lao PDR

The traditional burning ceremony of seized drugs will take place in the early morning of 26 June at That Loung square, by the country's most important national monument, the Great Sacred Stupa. UNDCP Lao Field office is the main sponsor of the Vientiane high school Basketball Cup and the finals will be played on June 26 under the slogan "Sports. Not Drugs".

In the evening a music and theatre festival with an anti-drug theme will take place in the National Cultural hall. The event is supported by UNDCP, UNICEF and GTZ.

Myanmar

To commemorate this year's theme of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, UNDCP Myanmar and the government of Myanmar has organized a run on 24 June 2001. This race will create an opportunity for participants to deliver a message of a healthy life without drugs. The race consists of a 2-mile run between the office of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) and the UNDCP Office. Participants include local celebrities, the media, representatives from civil society, government officers and members of the international community. All participants and organizers will sign a book pledging their willingness to prevent drug abuse.

Pakistan

The UNDCP Country Office for Pakistan is organizing various sporting events to commemorate the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking on 26 June. UN activities have been linked to Pakistan's hosting of the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in October 2001 in Islamabad.

The Country Office, in close collaboration with the Pakistan government and the Pakistan Sports Board, has organized exhibition games for boys and girls, such as badminton and volleyball. Pakistani national players will also participate in the games. Entertainment programmes will be organized for children and families, including magic and puppet shows and a musical evening. Promotional items such as posters, T-shirts and caps, will be distributed to the participants.

Thailand

As part of its global effort to mobilize society in the prevention and reduction of drug abuse among young people, the UNDCP Regional Centre for East Asia and the Pacific is promoting "Sports end Drugs" as the theme for the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

In collaboration with Siam Discovery Centre, a big shopping mall frequented by young people in Bangkok, UNDCP is launching a series of events for 26 June. Planned activities include introducing Ms. Tamarine Tanasugarn, the number one female Thai tennis player, as a new UNDCP Young Sports Messenger; the celebration of the end of the Golden Triangle "Traffic against Drugs 2001" bicycle campaign; and performances including hip hop, karate, street dance, live music and cheerleading.

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