June 26 was established as the World Day against Drugs and Illicit Trafficking by the UN General Assembly in order to raise awareness of the impact of drug use on public health and society at large. Now more than ever, following unprecedented health and humanitarian challenges that have shaken the social fabric, the WHO's message for this year's World Day highlights the need to tackle the scourge of substance addiction.
Addictions are an individual and public health problem, with multi-layered effects on the wider society. It is for this reason that universal mobilisation and a concerted effort are required to tackle the phenomenon. It is particularly important, in the current context of multiple crises, that the issues of support for people with substance dependence problems remain at the centre of everyone's attention.
Guided by our values and the needs of our country, we are investing in a social policy for dealing with addictions based on European standards. So that we can all feel that science-based steps have been taken towards a society that is as well shielded as possible from addictive substances. The Cypriot state rallies together with the Cyprus Addiction Treatment Authority and declares its full support for its work.
Together with AAK we support the vision of creating a protective environment that supports every person who needs help. It is our commitment that this help can be given under any circumstances.
(AF)
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