Artist Harwinder Singh Gill displays a creation at his residence in the northern Indian city of Amritsar June 25, 2011. According to Gill, the artwork, is made up of more than 3,000 capsules and tablets, is to create awareness about drug abuse on the eve of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. [Photo/Agencies]

By resolution 42/112 of 7 December 1987, the UN General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.

"Unless we reduce demand for illicit drugs, we can never fully tackle cultivation, production or trafficking. Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution. Families, schools, civil society and religious organizations can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. Businesses can help provide legitimate livelihoods. The media can raise awareness about the dangers of narcotics." said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message for the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.