Every year on 26 June, countries around the world observe the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. In line with this global occasion, the Barzani Charity Foundation (BCF) has continued its National Campaign Against Drugs for more than a year under the slogan:
“Together Towards a Stronger and Healthier Society.”
The campaign was launched in response to the call made by President Barzani during his speech on 15 May 2025, at the ceremony marking the unification of the two Student and Youth Union organizations. In his address, he stated: “The wars of the past were much easier than the war we face today. In the past, we fought wars with aircraft, tanks, artillery, chemical weapons, and endured the Anfal campaign. But believe me, today’s war is far more dangerous. It is the war of spreading drugs within our society. This is a war against our values and beliefs. It is an attempt to destroy the confidence and hope of every Kurd. That is why this war is much more difficult and dangerous.”
Following this call, and under the supervision of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Barzani Charity Foundation officially launched the National Campaign Against Drugs during a ceremony held on 29 May 2025 at Divan Hotel in Erbil, under the slogan “Together Towards a Stronger and Healthier Society.”
Earlier, in 2024, in partnership with the LDS Charities and in the presence of His Excellency Masrour Barzani, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Founders and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Foundation laid the cornerstone for the largest and most advanced rehabilitation and awareness center for people affected by drug addiction in Erbil. Since then, the Foundation has continued implementing its comprehensive National Campaign Against Drugs.
The campaign operates across six sectors. Throughout 2025 dozens of awareness activities, seminars, and workshops have been organized in schools, educational institutions, internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, refugee camps, and for religious leaders. The campaign aims to unite all sectors of society in confronting the growing threat of drug abuse. The Barzani Charity Foundation emphasizes that to safeguard the security and well-being of society, everyone must stand together against “White Terror.”
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 to raise global awareness and strengthen international cooperation in reducing the devastating impact of illicit drugs.
What Are Drugs?
Drugs are substances that affect the brain and nervous system and can alter a person’s emotions, thinking, behavior, and decision-making.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), approximately 296 million people worldwide have used illicit drugs in recent years. More than 39 million people suffer from drug use disorders and require treatment, while hundreds of thousands lose their lives every year due to drug use and related health complications.
Experts stress that the family is the first line of defense in protecting children and young people from the dangers of drugs. Open communication, proper supervision, and emotional support can prevent many problems before they arise.
Schools, universities, civil society organizations, and the media also play a vital role in raising awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles free from substance abuse.
The International Day Against Drug Abuse is not merely a day of remembrance; it is a call for collective action. Combating this dangerous phenomenon requires the cooperation of every sector of society including families, schools, governments, non-governmental organizations, and the media.
By raising awareness, supporting those affected by addiction, and expanding opportunities for treatment and recovery, we can build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.
Across the Kurdistan Region, several specialized rehabilitation centers are working to help individuals recover from addiction and reintegrate into society. However, experts believe that additional rehabilitation facilities and expanded services are still needed. For this reason, the Barzani Charity Foundation, alongside its nationwide awareness campaign, has established the region’s largest rehabilitation center for people affected by drug addiction, reaffirming its commitment to building a healthy, safe, and drug-free society.
