The government is planning to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by organising various programmes for a week across the country. 

The day is being marked with the slogan: “Listening to youth and children is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe”.

During a press meet organised by the Home Ministry on Sunday, Joint Secretary Kedar Neupane said the government will organse various programmes from 20 to 26 June to mark the day.

“Drug abuse is a problem afflicting not only some individuals but the entire society. All sides should make a concerted effort to battle this social ill,” Neupane said. 

Similarly, Drug Control Bureau Chief of Nepal Police, Dhiru Basnyat, said the increase of drug abuse also contributes to the rise in criminal activities. 

“It is important that all sides make effort and work together to curb drug abuse. Police alone cannot tackle the problem of drug abuse and trafficking,” he said. 

This year, the government is planning to screen documentaries with anti-drug message in movie theaters across the country and run awareness programmes at schools and colleges.

On June 26, a rallies will be organised to mark the day.

An estimated 142,000 people in the country is battling with drug addiction and the number is increasing at the rate of 11.67 percent every year.