Celebrations of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2019 in Turkmenistan

• The Secretary -General message: “The world drug problem is one of the most challenging issues we face. It has wide-range impacts on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities, as well as on the security and sustainable development of nations. Therefore, preventing and addressing drug challenges in all their complexity is essential to delivering on a fundamental global pledge, enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals: to leave no one behind”.

This year’s World Drug Day (WDD) celebration was marked by an outstanding public events organized in Ashgabat and Mary cities of Turkmenistan. The events were held in the context of Joint National Agencies Action Plan with regard to organizing and carrying out awareness raising activities dedicated to WDD. More than 600 representatives of government organizations, law enforcement agencies, media, international and civil society organizations gathered to mark the WDD in Ashgabat on 21 June and in Mary on 26 June in the biggest trade centers. The youth events became a wonderful platform for participants, artists, singers, NGOs and young people - to raise public awareness on risks and consequences of drug abuse, crime and violence prevention.

A group of 50 representatives of government organizations, law enforcement agencies, media, civil society organizations joined together to mark the WDD in Mary on 26 June at the conference hall of the regional office of the Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. Representatives of law enforcement, ministry of health and medical industry civil organizations and UNODC made presentations on drug abuse, crime and violence prevention and healthy lifestyle.

The program of both events also included concert, quiz sessions, flash-mobs, drawing competition and lots of prizes.  The quiz sessions, facilitated by the civil society organizations allowed the audience to become aware of the problem, encouraged the young people to enlighten each other on risks of drug abuse.

UNODC takes its lead very much from many partners, in particular the Junior Achievement/USAID Youth Project that assisted in the production of memorable banner, promotional items with WDD logo and the participation of volunteers in performances and quizzes.  

Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior, local governance, Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, National Society of Red Crescent of Turkmenistan, UNFPA, BOMCA/EU and civil society organizations were the partners of the WDD celebration this year.