Some civil society organisations (CSOs) this week joined their global counterparts in celebrating their contribution to the war against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

The local celebrations, held in Lilongwe and Karonga, were coordinated by the Drug Policy and Harm Reduction Platform under the campaign ‘Support, Don’t Punish’.

Students in Karonga display posters during the event

The Centre for Mental Health Education, Counselling and Empowerment coordinated the celebrations in Karonga with focus on drugs and substance abuse as well as the need for harm reduction services.

In an interview Drug Policy and Harm Reduction Platform chairperson Undule Mwakasungula said the campaign calls for better drug policies that respect human rights, protect public health and strengthen harm reduction services.

“Crucially, the campaign also calls for an end to the criminalisation of people who use drugs,” he said.
In a separate interview, Centre for Mental Health Education coordinator in Karonga, Kelvin Malema, said drugs and alcohol abuse were affecting the youth educationally and health wise.

The United Nations set aside June 26 as an International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and governments are expected to celebrate their involvement in the global war against drug abuse.

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