UNODC marks the World Drug Day with Zumba Flash Mob "For the Drug Free World!"

 

On June 25, 2022, Zumba Flash Mob "For the Drug Free World!" was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was organized on the initiative of the UNODC  Regional Office in Central Asia, the National Information and Analytical Center for Drug Control under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the ZUMBA FITNESS UZBEKISTAN movement with the support of the NIKA Sport fitness club in Tashkent.

On December 7, 1987, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution 42/112 in which it was decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as a sign of its determination to strengthen activities and cooperation to achieve the goal of creating an international society free of drug addiction. 

Supported each year by individuals, communities, and various organizations all over the world, this global observance aims to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.

UNODC is calling on governments, international organizations, civil society, and all stakeholders to take urgent action to protect people, including by strengthening drug use prevention and treatment, and by tackling illicit drug supply.

World Drug Day is a day to share research findings, evidence-based data, and solutions, to continue tapping into a shared spirit of solidarity. 

UNODC is engaged in solving existing and emerging transnational drug problems arising from crisis situations. The Office continues to advocate for the protection of the right to health of the most vulnerable, including children and youth, people who use drugs, people with drug use disorders, and people who need access to controlled medicines.

Zumba Flash Mob "For a Drug-free World!" was organized to urge Governments, international organizations, civil society and all stakeholders to take measures to protect people, including by strengthening the prevention and treatment of drug use, as well as by addressing the problem of illegal drug trafficking. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a day for the exchange of results and vital facts in order to maintain a common spirit of solidarity.

The event was opened by Ms. Ashita Mittal, the Regional Representative of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia, with an address to the society. Ms. Mittal noted: "The theme of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking this year is "Addressing drug-related problems in medical and humanitarian crises." She noted the need to continue advocacy to protect the right to health of the most vulnerable groups of the population, including children and youth, people who use drugs, people with drug use disorders, and people in need of access to controlled medicines.

UNODC also presented motivational videos to the audience about young people who solve their difficulties and problems through sports, despite any obstacles.

At the end of the introductory part, the team of professional trainers of  Nika Sport fitness club invited all participants and guests of the event to  jointly present  Zumba flash mob  with the call "For the drug free  world!".

The flash mob was attended by students of universities, activists, as well as employees of the UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia, and guests of the Central Park in Tashkent. 

 

For further information please contact:           

Arifa Fatikhova    

Communications and External Relations Officer 

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 99) 825-05-43 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[at]un.org