June 26, 2025, marks International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The 2025 theme, “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention”, emphasizes the importance of global cooperation and community action in creating a drug-free world and also the need for prioritizing prevention, education, and rehabilitation over punishment and marginalization.

This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, as a call to act and strengthen international cooperation in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Drug abuse is the misuse or excessive use of drugs, whether legal or illegal, in a way that is harmful to a person’s health, well-being, or daily life. Illicit trafficking refers to the illegal production, distribution, sale, or transportation of goods, especially substances that are prohibited by law.

This day highlights the dangers of drug abuse, including health problems, addiction, and the breakdown of families and communities, and also on fighting illegal drug production and trade, which fuels crime, corruption, and violence in the international system. It is a reminder that drug-related issues are a shared responsibility, requiring international cooperation in prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and policy-making and support for victims and addicts through compassionate care, rehabilitation, and reintegration for those affected by drug use.

Speaking on the importance of the day, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive director, states that;

“The fight against drug abuse is not just about enforcement, it’s about education, compassion, and investment in services that help people live healthier lives. Together, we can create supportive environments that reduce the risk of substance abuse and help those affected find a path to recovery. Every life lost to addiction is a life we could have saved through awareness, compassion, and action. The fight against drug abuse is not just a fight against crime, but a fight for health, dignity, and hope for all”.

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi continued by saying;

The issue of drug abuse and illicit trafficking is not just a governmental issue, but a community challenge that demands compassion, awareness, and action. Support prevention programs, advocate for treatment and recovery, and speak out against the illegal drug trade”.

FAME Foundation joins the global community in observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, reaffirming its commitment to a world free from drug abuse, where communities are empowered, informed, and educated, encouraging citizens to participate in local activities, support community-based prevention programs, and share resources.

She concluded by calling on leaders, educators, healthcare workers, parents, and young people to stand together in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, stakeholders are also urged to invest in evidence-based strategies that empower young people, support families, and strengthen public health infrastructure.