World Drug Day is marked on June 26 every year. Also known as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, this day aims to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drugs, notes the United Nations.

History of World Drug Day

It was on December 7, 1987, when by the resolution 42/112. the General Assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to achieve a society free of drug abuse.

World Drug Day 2025 Theme

This year's theme is "The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention." This theme highlights the urgent need to invest in preventative measures to address the world's drug problem. It also aims to create a long-lasting resilience against drug abuse.

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Importance of World Drug Day

Drug abuse is a global challenge and harms individual silently. It is often the reason why families break and communities weaken. The impact goes beyond addiction, causing a lasting physical, mental, and social damage. Furthermore, ATS, also known as the Amphetamine-Type Stimulants are synthetic drugs that harm the brain, heart, and nervous system.

As per the 2024 report by UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), number of people who use drugs has risen to 292 million in 2022, a 20% increase over the 10 years. Cannabin remains the most widely used drug worldwide, with an estimate of 228 million users. It is followed by opioids with 60 million users, ATM with 30 million users, cocaine with 23 million users, and ecstasy with 20 million users.

READ: What Are The Most Abused Drugs In The US?

The report notes that nitazenes, which is a group of synthetic opioids which can be even more potent than fentanyl, have recently emerged in several high-income countries, resulting in an increase in overdose deaths.

Though an estimated 64 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders, only one in 11 is in treatment. Women receive less access to treatment than men, with only one in 18 women with drug use disorders in treatment versus one in seven men.

These numbers show why is it important to observe World Drug Day, so a society free of drug abuse can be achieved.

Drug Impact On Health

As per the notification released by Government of India on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2025, here are the health issues that are caused by various drugs:

• Methamphetamine (Meth): A crystal-like drug that severely damages the brain and heart.
• Cocaine: A white powder that can cause heart attacks and strong addiction.
• Mephedrone: A party drug that leads to anxiety, confusion and heart issues.
• Hashish: Made from cannabis, it affects memory and mental health.

As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse's publication titled, Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction, people with addiction often have one or more associated health issues, which could include lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, or mental health conditions.

Furthermore, use of methamphetamine can cause severe dental problems, which is also known as meth mouth. The study notes, "in addition, some drugs, such as inhalants, may damage or destroy nerve cells, either in the brain or the peripheral nervous system (the nervous system outside the brain and spinal cord)."

Use of drugs can also increase the risk of contracting infections. The study notes: "HIV and hepatitis C (a serious liver disease) can occur from sharing injection equipment or from unsafe practices such as condom-less sex.40,41 Infection of the heart and its valves (endocarditis) and skin infection (cellulitis) can occur after exposure to bacteria by injection drug use."

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Drugs can also cause mental illness and increase the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or even schizophrenia,, as it can trigger specific vulnerabilities. It can also impact pregnant or breastfeeding mother and her baby could go into withdrawal after it's born. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

This year, not just with the theme, but with the campaign, "Break the cycle. #StopOrganizedCrime", the aim is to highlight the long-term action to break the cycle of drug abuse and its illicit trafficking by addressing root causes, investing in prevention, and building stronger health, education, and social systems.

READ MORE: National Anti-Drug Addiction Day 2024: Reintegrating In Society After Rehab

After Coldrif was linked to children's death in India, regulators have now advised against the use of two more cough syrups including Respifresh TR and ReLife. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned of the potential risks of the unregulated channels through which these cough syrups could be exported, however, as of now, these have not been exported.

Health alerts from Gujarat and other states describe both Respifresh and ReLife as containing DEG, “a toxic chemical that can cause serious poisoning, including kidney failure, neurological complications, and even death, particularly in children.”

Read: Cough Syrup Row: Death Toll Rise To 22 As 2 More Children Succumb

The Jammu And Kashmir Cough Syrup Death Case

However, this is not the first case of cough syrup linked deaths of children from India. Earlier, between 2019 and 2020, at least 12 children under five died in Jammu and Kashmir, allegedly from cough syrup. The syrup has been manufactured in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district by pharmaceutical company Digital Vision. Scroll reported that Digital Vision has "not only gone to resume production, but found guilt of more drug quality violations."

The samples of the cough syrups were collected in Ramnagar and sent to lab for tests in Chandigarh. The tests found that "more 34% diethylene glycol", said Jammu and Kashmir drug controller Lotika Khajuria to BBC. The samples' findings were also corroborated by another Kolkata-based lab test, said Khajuria.

The BBC report mentioned that the toxins failed the children's kidneys, and in some cases, even multiple organs were affected, including brain, liver, and lungs. Some of the children were also to be put on ventilators, while some were left with major disabilities.

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The Gambia Cough Syrup Death Case

In the September of 2022, reports BBC, a father in The Gambia, watched his young son slowly die in front of his eye. His son, 3-year-pld Lamin was among the 70 children, younger than five, who died in The Gambia of acute kidney injuries between July and October of 2022.

All these kids consumed one of the four cough syrups made by an Indian company called Maiden Pharmaceuticals. In fact, in October 2022, the WHO linked the deaths to the syrups and said that it found "unacceptable" levels of toxins in the medicines. A Gambian parliamentary panel also concluded after investigations that the deaths were the result of children ingesting the syrups.

However, the pharmaceutical company denied this and said that the cough syrups complied with quality standards when tested domestically. Though the then chairperson of the Gambian panel that investigated these deaths Amadou Camara strongly denied. He said, "We have evidence. We tested these drugs. [They] contained unacceptable amounts of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, and these were directly imported from India, manufactured by Maiden."

Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are toxic to humans and could be fatal if consumed.

Uzbekistan Cough Syrup Death Case

After the trial of August 2023, an Uzbekistan court sentenced 23 people to prison over the deaths of 68 children linked to contaminated cough syrup. Among them were Singh Ragvendra Pratar, reports BBC, who was given the longest sentence of 20 years. He was the executive director at Quaramax Medical, who distributed the contaminated cough syrups manufactured by Marion Biotech in India.

WHO in January 2023, also said that the products manufactured by Marion Biotech were "substandard" and that the firm had failed to provide guarantees about their safety. After this, India's health ministry suspended production at the company. The authorities stated that they were "permanently" cancelling the company's license.

The popular weight-loss drug Ozempic, and similar GLP=1 medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro and known for a little more than fat loss jabs. They have a more complicate side to it. This is all about the sagging breasts, surprise pregnancies to confusing cancer scans, and many more such side effects. Of course due to its consequence of helping people use weight, have these drugs gained popularity, but also because these injections are producing ripple effects fat beyond the waistline.

Ozempic Breasts

If 'Ozempic Face' was not enough - a term used for facial sagging after rapid weight loss, then there is a new cosmetic concern: Ozempic breasts.

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Women using this weekly injection have reported dropping, deflated breasts after they have shred pounds quickly. Experts have also stressed that this is not a drug-specific effect and could happen to anyone who lost a significant amount of fat in a short time.

“In the breast area, rapid fat loss can leave the skin envelope empty, causing the breasts to look deflated and the nipples facing downward,” explained Dr. Ronald F. Rosso, medical director at Peninsula Plastic Surgery in California, as reported in Healthline. “It’s very similar to what we see after more traditional weight-loss surgeries such as gastric bypass.”

Women who have experienced pregnancy and breastfeeding may be at a greater risk, said Dr Walter J Joseph, a California-based aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon. For them, less cleavage and fullness, translates into a "sad looking" breast appearance.

The best measure? Experts suggest a well-fitted bra throughout the day. "It won't reverse the change, but it can help with comfort and prevent further sagging," said Dr Elie Levine, director of Plastic Surgery & Dermatology of NYC PLLC.

Plastic Surgery May Solve Your Problems

Not just Ozempic Breasts, but even Ozempic Butt, a droopy backside has made it to the list. For those seeking to restore firmness and shape, procedures like butt lifting and breast lifts for Ozempic breasts are available, including mastopexy.

What happens in this surgery is doctors remove the sagging skin, reshape the tissue and reposition the nipple to face forward rather than downward. The lift can also be paired with implants for added fullness.

“Patients should wait until they reach and maintain their goal weight before considering surgery,” advised Dr. Christopher Costa, as reported in the NY Post. Dr Costa is the founder of Platinum Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas. “Your body after Ozempic may be completely different, and it’s important to give it time to stabilize before making permanent changes.”

Dr Costa also noted in a 2022 study found two-thirds users regained the lost weight within a year of stopping GLP-1 drugs. Thus timing is the key to avoid repeating costly procedures. “If you’re not ready for surgery, embrace your new look,” he added. “Buy new clothes that flatter your shape, celebrate the healthier version of you.”

Ozempic Breast Is Not Just Sagging, It Is Also Swelling

Not all complaints are about sagging, some are also about sore and swollen breasts, especially in the early weeks of treatment.

"They feel bigger and tender, like the first trimester of pregnancy," shared a Reddit user. Experts suggest that it is due to the hormonal shifts that your body undergoes or due to the temporary inflammation.

What could work? Massaging, is what Dr Elie Levine recommends. This could boost circulation. Other than that, one can also use painkillers, or cool compresses for relief.

After Tylenol, a popular pain medicine in the US was in debate of whether it causes autism, the debate has now shifted to Tramadol.

What Is Tramadol?

It is an opioid pain medicine used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and addiction. It alters how the brain and the nervous system respond to pain.

What's New About Tramadol?

New research published in the BMJ Evidence Based Medicine indicates that tramadol offers only a slight alleviation from chronic pain and may not be as effective. The research also notes that the side effects maybe overweighing the benefits.

Also Read: ‘Ozempic Breasts’ Are Real — The Shocking Side Effect No One Warned Women About

This prescription only drug is branded under various names, including Maxitram, Marol, Zydol, Zamadol, Tramulief, and Tramquel. It is used to treat pain, especially after surgery or a significant injury.

This is also a popular choice in US, however, the new evidence shows that it only offers limited impact on chronic pain and could actually be associated with the high risk of serious effects, including heart diseases.

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Tramadol Ineffective? What Is It Based On?

The team of researchers assessed 19 published clinical trials that involved 6,506 people with chronic pain. Five of the trials studied the impact of tramadol on neuropathic pain, nine focused on osteoarthritis, four looked at chronic low back pain, and one looked at fibromyalgia.

The prescribed period for most people were two to 16 weeks. Pooled data analysis showed that tramadol did ease the pain, the effect was small as compared to what would be considered clinically effective.

Researchers also noted a doubling in the risk of harms, which were associated with the popular pain killer drug, as compared to placebo drugs. They had a higher proportion of side effects, which include: chest pain, heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Some patients also suffered nausea, dizziness, constipation, and sleepiness. The researchers concluded: "Approximately 60 million worldwide experience the addictive effects of opioids."

The researchers further noted: "In 2019, drug use was responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths, with nearly 80 per cent of these fatalities associated with opioids and approximately 25 per cent resulting from opioid overdose. Given this trend and the present findings, the use of tramadol and other opioids should be minimised to the greatest extend possible."

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Opioid And Its Link To Cardiovascular Health

As per a 2023 study, published in Cureus, titled: Opioid Impacts on Cardiovascular Health cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a major contributor to global mortality, and opioid use impacts cardiovascular health. Opioid receptors belong to the G protein, and these long-term opioid receptors have been linked to increased inflammatory responses and elevated production of reactive oxygen species, when it comes to cardiovascular health. These processes can contribute to cardiovascular complications such as microvascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. This contrasts with the effects of acute receptor activation.