AKEL on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

 

26 June 2023, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The United Nations has designated 26 June as World Drug Day. In addition to highlighting the problem and its effects and prevention policies, the UN’s goal for this year is to eliminate social stigma and discrimination against people with a substance use disorder.

The phenomenon of illicit substance use has been recording a steady and continuous increase in recent years both in Cyprus and internationally. The present socio-economic system, with the dead ends it creates, combined with the complete absence of substantive social support, is pushing more and more people into the world of addictions.

The phenomenon of addictions is a biopsychosocial, multidimensional and multifaceted problem. It must therefore be addressed in a multidimensional way. A web of prevention, treatment, harm reduction, social support and supply reduction measures is needed. This is why the State needs to invest more in prevention and treatment measures, ensuring that prevention programmes operate everywhere.  Accordingly, it is necessary to ensure access for all to treatment services through a wide range of treatment programmes.  The gradual reduction and eventual elimination of the stigma that accompanies people with a substance use addiction is essential for these individuals to have unimpeded access to treatment.

There is also a need to strengthen prevention policy with regard to dependence on legal substances such as alcohol and cigarettes, particularly in the area of access for minors. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention framework in this area, but also the penalties for those who break the law so that they are genuinely dissuasive.

AKEL will continue to support the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority to implement the National Strategy, in the interest of people with substance use addiction but also in the interest of society in general, public health and above all the young generation.